There are lots of reasons people choose to work with a dog trainer—from basic manners, preparing for dog sports or competitions to resolving problem behaviors causing stress at home. No matter the reason, there's sure to be a dog trainer who specializes in that work.
All of these are excellent reasons to hire a dog trainer. I thought it would be fun to share some of the most common reasons dog parents seek help from a professional trainer. These "bread & butter" requests cover a wide range of situations and chances are, you’ll see something familiar here.
Before diving in, let me emphasize one crucial point: If your dog starts showing sudden unwanted behaviors—such as urinating indoors after years of being house-trained or becoming unexpectedly leash-reactive—your first step should always be a visit to their vet. Medical issues can often be the root cause of sudden behavior changes. Any good trainer will ask you to rule out medical problems first before tackling the behavior.
That said, here are the top 9 issues people hire dog trainers to solve:
1. Puppy Basics
New puppies are a joy, they also come with a steep learning curve. Many people work with a trainer to help their puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted adult dog. Puppy training typically includes:
Basic cues like sit, stay, down, etc.
Careful socialization.
Potty training.
Solving common challenges like chewing everything in sight.
You can tackle puppy basics in group classes (a great way to socialize your pup) or through one-on-one training. I offer a 6-week soup to nuts puppy program that covers all of the above plus plenty of handholding when puppy parenting feels overwhelming.
2. Growling and Biting
At the other end of the spectrum is dealing with aggression, such as growling, lunging or biting. Living with a reactive or aggressive dog can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of punishing their dog for growling, which can lead to biting seemingly “out of the blue.” Never punish a growl—it’s vital communication. A professional positive trainer who specializes in this type of behavior (like myself) can help you address aggression safely and effectively.
3. Leash Pulling
Leash pulling is one of the most frustrating problems for dog owners. Dogs pull because it’s rewarding—they get to explore exciting smells and sights. Some pulling is the result of reactivity where your dog lunges toward their fear triggers. A professional trainer can recommend the best harness and teach techniques to eliminate pulling. Be sure to work with a positive reinforcement trainer who avoids harmful tools like prong collars. If your dog's pulling is caused by reactivity, look for a trainer who specializes in this work. This is the work I do and it is a highly nuanced type of training.
4. Jumping Up
Jumping up on people, furniture or countertops (counter-surfing) can range from mildly annoying (with small dogs) to downright dangerous (with large dogs). Often, this behavior gets unintentionally reinforced by the attention it garners. A trainer can help you implement environmental changes and training techniques to stop the jumping for good. I tend to get a lot of "jumping" clients around the holidays when people want to have guests over!
5. Potty Training
Potty training isn’t just for puppies. Newly adopted adult dogs or shelter dogs who’ve never lived in a home may need also need potty training or a potty training refresher. Nervous dogs may also have accidents as they adjust to a new environment. A positive trainer will guide you through a patient, consistent potty training process that works for both puppies and adults.
6. Door Dashing
Does your dog rush the door whenever anyone opens it in a mad dash for freedom? That's "door dashing" and is quite a dangerous habit as your dog can get lost, hit by a car or taken. Door-dashing out of the home or any gate is a scary and stressful problems. A trainer will customize a plan to address the specific issue, ensuring safety for everyone while changing the behavior.
7. Reactivity
Reactive dog behavior can range from mild anxiety to full-blown aggression in response to triggers like other dogs, men with beards or sirens, etc. Professional trainers with solid experience in this area will help identify the underlying triggers and create a plan to modify the behavior. Working with reactive dogs is what I love to do. If you have a dog who barks and lunges on walks, schedule a free consultation with me to see how I can help.
8. Chewing & Stealing
Chewing and taking things that don't belong to them aren't just puppy problems. Adult dogs chew and/or steal out of nervousness, boredom or sheer love for the activity. With the right combination of environmental changes and training, you can redirect your dog’s chewing or stealing to appropriate outlets.
9. Barking
All dogs bark but some dogs bark so much it becomes a problem. Dogs develop nuisance barking out of boredom, anxiety, seeking attention, excitement, etc. Addressing an excessive barking habit takes a combination of environmental changes, the right engaging activities and entertainment and training new behaviors. A professional positive trainer can help you get back your peace and quiet. If you have a barky dog, check out my course on eliminating nuisance barking. Use this coupon for 50% off the course fee: Happy5Years
Why Hire a Professional Trainer?
These nine problems are among the most common reasons people seek professional dog trainer help. While I’ve shared some general tips, it’s important to remember that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work in dog training. A professional positive reinforcement trainer will assess your unique situation and develop a customized plan that includes:
Environmental management.
Behavior modification.
Canine Enrichment.
Avoid trainers who offer cookie-cutter solutions or use aversive methods. Your dog deserves the best—and so do you!
If you’re ready to tackle your dog’s behavior challenges with expert guidance, schedule a free consultation with me today. You’ll be amazed at what you and your dog can achieve together!
Comments