How to choose a dog trainer?

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Dog Training is about learning to communicate and bond with your dog, while understanding your dog’s behavior and emotions. 

                                                                                            

      Trainers should have :

• A strong understanding of dog behavior

• Excellent communication skills with dogs and people

• Science based knowledge on how a dogs learn

• Training Certifications

• Training should be fun for you and your dog!  

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Look for a trainer that uses positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement means rewarding dogs for their engagement and rewarding them for what they do right  rather than punishing them for what they did wrong. Look for a trainer that believes in the science of dog training rather than training methods that force obedience.   Think of your trainer as your coach. If your trainer is not training you, then you need a new trainer. 

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You should speak with the trainer before signing up for their services. The trainer should be patient, encouraging, and respectful. Ask the trainer about their education and any credentials. Ask about their methodology. Dog training is an unregulated industry. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer

Look for another trainer if their methods include:

• Dominance Theory 

• Alpha 

• Submission

• Prong Collars

• Shock Collars

• Choke Collars

• Guarantees

• A physical correction such as: pinching, hitting, kneeing, holding the dog down, yelling, or yanking on the collar.

  Reccomended Trainers :

   Richmond

• Mariah Rodriguez of Confident Canine Coach-  Richmond Dog Trainer| Confident Canine Coach

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• Laura Folsom- River City Dog Training

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• Hannah Fuqua of Canine Adventure  -Dog Training — Canine Adventure

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• 2 Speak Dog- 2 speak dog

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• Kyzer Dog- KyzerDog.com

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• Lesley Gurule of Canine Communication RVA- Canine Communication RVA

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   Glouster

• Amy Willoughby of Shared Joy Dog Training (Glouster)- Shared Joy Dog Training - Training, Group Classes, Behavior Consulting (shared-joy.com)

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   Hampton/Norfolk​

• Clever Critters (Hampton/Norfolk)- Behavior Modification and Training - Clever Critters, LLC (clever-critters.com)

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 Aggressive and reactive dog help:

• Gabrielle Johnson- www.bestlifedogservices.com

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• Animal Behavior Wellness Center- Dr Amy Learn- Amy Learn, VMD (abwellnesscenter.com)

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If you need additional suggestions for trainers in your area, please contact us at:

info@labrescue-richmond.com