Let me start by making something very clear: it is always OK to ask for help. At some point we seem to hit this stage where we feel like we need to have everything figured out in life, that we’ve somehow failed if we can’t make it on our own. And not only is this simply not true, but it can truly hurt us. So before we get any farther into this topic, allow yourself to accept that you deserve support. For you, for your family, for your dog.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s dive in to dog training! There are lots of reasons to ask a dog trainer for help, but we’ve boiled the list down to our top 6. These are the most common reasons that families and dog owners reach out for help to local dog trainers, so let’s dive in and see if you fall into any one of these groups. And if you do, understand that you’re not alone, and help is closer than you think!
- You feel overwhelmed by all of the information available
- You’ve tried it on your own and you’re feeling stuck
- You have a solid foundation but want more
- You have specific goals that you need help with
- You see safety-related issues arising
- You want to develop behaviors at a young age that will last a lifetime
- Conclusion
You feel overwhelmed by all of the information available
There is A LOT of information out there on dogs, animal behavior, vet care, behaviors you should encourage and discourage, and on and on and on. With everyone claiming to be an expert, it can be really hard to tell who has the best, most up-to-date, clear information out there.
And then we have to remember that every dog is different. So while a strategy might work great for your neighbor’s dog, that doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you and yours. The behaviors you’re dealing with are different, your goals are different, and therefore, your training approach should be different.
So if you’ve been doing your research and you are struggling to sort through all of the noise to find what will work best for you and your dog, it’s time to talk with a dog trainer. Your dog trainer will help you break down exactly what you need to work on, and help you create a plan that works specifically for you. Getting advice and strategies tailored uniquely for your needs? Yes, please!
You’ve tried it on your own and you’re feeling stuck
We work with a lot of clients that really wanted to try things on their own before hiring a professional dog trainer. And there is nothing wrong with that! Whether it’s because finances are tight, because you think you can probably figure it out if you try hard enough, or if you’re just too stubborn to ask for help (at first), we support anyone that wants to train their dog in any fashion. Your methods might not be the best or the fastest, but who cares! As long as you’re trying, you’re going to see results. Period.
But let’s say that’s just not working for you anymore and you’re feeling stuck. Don’t keep struggling if something isn’t working! That will only lead to burnout and frustration, and eventually, you’ll stop trying. So when you feel like you’ve hit a wall, go talk with a professional dog trainer. They can give you a fresh perspective and get you on the right track again.
You have a solid foundation but want more
Lots of people have worked hard on the basics, and are doing really great with them. But what if that’s not good enough for you? What if you have bigger goals and dreams, and you want your dog to be the start of the neighborhood? Let’s do it!
And if you don’t know how to do it? That’s where a dog trainer can come in, yet again. Dog trainers work on all sorts of behavior problems, but they also know how to have fun and work on some advanced skills, as well. So whether that’s learning agility, getting a really solid off-leash recall so you can hike and camp with confidence, or if you want to do therapy work with your dog, there’s a dog trainer near you that can help you work on those skills.
You have specific goals that you need help with
Typically, we work with dogs and their families because they have a vision but don’t know how to get there. They want to take their dog hiking, but the dog CANNOT walk on leash without pulling them over. They want to enjoy quiet evenings at home but the dog won’t stop barking out the window, annoying the entire neighborhood. They want to bring their dog to the kids’ soccer games, but the dog can’t help but chase the ball every time it passes.
Whatever your goals may be, chances are, you’re not the first person needing help with it. Which also means that there is a dog trainer in your area that can help you work toward that goal pretty quickly and efficiently. So don’t be afraid to reach out for help – we’re all about including dogs in your lives!
You see safety-related issues arising
This is a big one that we want you to take very seriously. If your notice an safety-related issues arising, you need to reach out to a professional dog trainer right away. Don’t let the problem escalate and become much more serious. If you do, the stakes will be much higher, as will the price tag to resolve the issue.
Some common safety-related issues we see with dogs include:
- Resource guarding (growling over food, bones, toys, etc.)
- Reactivity (lunging and barking at dogs, people, bikes, cars, etc.)
- Biting
- Growling
- Jumping around and barking out the car windows (becomes very unsafe for everyone involved)
The sooner we can address these and any other behavior issues, the easier it is to work through them. On the other hand, if you allow your dog to practice any of these habits, the behavior will only get stronger and therefore will need more intensive intervention. So, please do yourselves and your dog a big favor, and get help as soon as you see any concerning behaviors. You’ll be so glad you didn’t wait until it becomes a much bigger problem.
You want to develop behaviors at a young age that will last a lifetime
Outside of simply working on behavior issues, there is a lot to be said for setting your dog up for long-term success. Now this is probably the hardest pitch we have to make to dog owners, because it is really difficult to spend money to make your good dog an even better dog. You have to really want it and see a vision of what life with a really well-trained dog could look like.
But if you’re open to it, you should absolutely start training your dog young and early. This will not only set your dog up for a lifetime of success, but it will create a strong bond between you, and will also prevent a lot of behavior issues from ever arising.
So if you want a dog that can join you on every adventure, that can relax around your family and friends, that can join you on hikes and vacations and brewery outings and picnics, then you need to put in the work and teach your dog exactly how you want her to behave in those environments. And that means training. And a lot of it. And the younger you start, the stronger those behaviors will be as your pup becomes a dog. And again, a dog trainer can help you get there!
Conclusion
There are so many reasons to hire a professional dog trainer. And perhaps the issues you’re facing or the questions you’re asking aren’t on this list. That doesn’t mean you’re alone! You should still absolutely seek out professional help.
When you do start looking to hire a dog trainer, please remember that every dog trainer has their strengths and weaknesses, the things they are really good at, and things they may need to refer away. So make sure you ask some questions and find a trainer that can really help you with your unique goals. If you need some help with this check out our blog post on finding the right trainer for you here!