Dog training covers an amazing number of specialities. Training a dog sounds so simple but our relationship with dogs is surprisingly complicated - and dogs are much cleverer and intelligent than most owners imagine as you will understand if you read The Genius Dogs by Brian Hare.
The vast majority of dogs who are well socialised and have some good basic training fit into their new family quickly and easily and usually cause very few problems. But those that develop difficult behaviours often need an expert to untangle the complicated relationships within the family to which the dog is often reacting. This may not be the fault either of the family or the dog. Neither wants to be a 'problem' but circumstances and environment all too often lead to misunderstandings on the part of both dogs and the owners.
That said, in a small number of cases (less than 2%) there is a medical/veterinary problem that needs investigating. However, whether it is pain or difficulty in hearing or seeing (the most common causes) a good dog trainer or behaviourist, although not attempting to diagnose, will quickly spot that veterinary attention is required.
There are many reasons for a dog owner to need the assistance of an experienced trainer. They may want to work their dog to the gun or need guidance if they are interested in obedience, fly ball or the increasingly popular heel work to music. And if someone is physically or mentally challenged both dog and owner are likely to benefit from advice and help from someone experienced.
But most owners will need a trainer because they have a social problem with their dog.
The first thing is to identify the problem. This is usually easy: barking, biting, car sickness and guarding are common and there are techniques which can sometimes be applied quickly and effectively - but this does not mean they are necessarily easy to solve: you always have to remember that a specific behaviour is a symptom of a problem - it is not, itself, the 'problem'.
Each of the trainers and behaviourists who have signed up to the National Register have also listed those areas of problem behaviour in which they specialise. You will see from the listings that there are many dog trainers who are highly specialised in particular fields. But is not difficult to make a choice: you would not approach a guide dog trainer if your dog pulls on the lead: a guide dog trainer will certainly know the answer but it is not an area in which he or she usually works.
The following list provides a guide.
- Advanced dog training (Working dogs, Gundogs, Heel work to Music, Agility, Obedience, Fly ball, Working, Field Trial)
- Advanced dog training (Working with physically and mentally challenged people)
- Advanced training (Search and rescue and 'sniffer' dogs)
- Advanced training (Security and guard dogs)
- Advanced training (Stage and Screen)
- Aggression (towards people or other dogs)
- Barking
- Basic dog training (Sit, stand, walking on lead, recall, mouthing etc)
- Car sickness
- Destructive behaviour
- Fear related behaviours (urination, biting, freezing etc)
- Guarding
- Inappropriate defecation
- Introducing a baby, another dog or pet in to the house/family
- Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme
- Puppy training
- Separation anxiety
A good trainer will guide and advise you. If you need advice - just ask: most will be happy to describe the services they offer and recommended someone else if it is not their area of expertise. And you can contact I Train Dogs if you need assistance. We do not train dogs or give behavioural advice - but we know people who do. Get in touch via the 'Contact Us' link.
David Cavill FRSA F Inst D
