Dog ownership in Syracuse NY and several other places has many benefits. Little wonder it is common in this city and even all of New York State. However, it has its challenges, and high up the list of challenges is canine training. It is even harder with certain breeds and under certain conditions. On the whole, some of the challenges include:
- Leash Pulling
- Excessive Barking
- Separation Anxiety
- Recall Issues
- Reactivity Towards Other Canines Or Animals
- Destructive Habits
- Housebreaking
The above-listed and several others can be a real worry. For more on this, you can visit: https://focusingonwildlife.com/.
It therefore begs the question of whether owning a dog is worth it. Well, it is as long as you can properly figure out canine training, which is where professional trainers come in. However, you just have to make the right choice when choosing these professionals, which this article intends to help you do. So, ensure that you continue reading to find out more.
Finding The Perfect Dog Trainer In Syracuse NY
It is good to know that there has been an increase in the number of people who patronize dog trainers in Syracuse NY. This shows how the perception of the role of these professionals is changing for good.
However, it should be noted that not every person or company that offers this service is up to the task. You therefore need to understand how to tell the right ones apart from below-par and even average ones. To this end, some tips for finding the perfect canine trainer in Syracuse NY are as follows:
1. Word-of-Mouth Recommendation
This is the Gen-Z era and it is common and normal to source for online opinions when trying to make decisions such as this one. However, it does not rule out the sense behind getting word-of-mouth recommendations.
Against this backdrop, you should ask people around for whom or which company they consider the best dog trainer service provider. So, make sure to hear what family, friends, and neighbors have to say. Of course, you should only ask dog owners who have engaged these professionals.
It also makes sense to get the take of associated industry experts like veterinarians. These professionals do not offer this service but they usually have industry relationships with canine trainers because of their line of work. So, you may want to hear from veterinarians as well.
2. Online Research
Surfing through some credible online platforms can steer you in the right direction. For example, some of these platforms have sections where reviews from previous and current clients are left.
These reviews can help you make the right decisions and even help you know what to expect. Yelp, Facebook, and Google are prime examples of such online platforms that can be consulted.
Furthermore, you should go through the professional websites of the trainers that are being considered. You can check out Sit Means Sit as it is a prime example of what such a website should look like. For example, you should get first-hand information on the kind of services offered and professional qualifications from such websites.
3. Training Technique
There are various canine training techniques. However, they all fall under either of two broad categories – reinforcement or punitive training techniques.
The problem with the latter is that it may involve animal abuse, which you should never be a party to. For this reason, ensure that the trainer or training company in question uses techniques that fall under the reinforcement category.
Unfortunately, some trainers are fond of lying about how they go about training canines. They make promises that they will not fulfill all in the bid to win you over and get paid for doing so.
One way to address this concern is to be a physical part of a class/section before you eventually commit to engaging their services. You may also want to prioritize options that offer trial periods.
4. Certifications
There is the art and science of canine training and it can be learned. Enrolling for certain certifications and passing these certifications is proof that a person has learned the art and science of dog training, which is why you should be particular about a dog trainer’s professional certifications.
Of course, this also calls for knowledge of some of these certifications, especially the most notable and pertinent ones. Some of them include the following:
- CCPDT – Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
- IACP – International Association of Canine Professionals
- APDT – Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Some of these certifications are more credible than others, which is mostly down to the organization that issues them. For this reason, researching the integrity and thoroughness of the organizations that issue these certifications makes a lot of sense. For example, you can click here to find out more about the CCPDT.
5. Experience
Certification is important as mentioned early on. However, there are things in the profession of dog training that experience can only instill. For this reason, you stand a better chance of having your dog properly trained when you hire experienced trainers.
You may have noticed most experienced professionals cost more. However, this can be considered worth it, given the benefits of hiring them.
6. Specialized Training
Engaging the services of these professionals never rules out the need for dog owners to be involved in dog training. Unfortunately, this is an area where many people miss it.
Having made this clear, one of your responsibilities as a dog owner hiring this professional service provider is to identify areas of focus during training. For example, some canines have more of a problem adjusting to new environments and/or being left alone than accommodating other canines or animals.
This is usually a symptom of separation anxiety. The point is that understanding your dog’s training needs helps you choose a trainer who is an expert at training canines that have such issues. This is important because professional specialization should largely inform your choice.
Conclusion
Do you have a dog(s) exhibiting behaviors that prove a lack or problem with dog training? Are you finding it difficult to instill the right behaviors in your dog?
You should consider hiring a good dog trainer if your answer to either or both questions is “yes”. Furthermore, put the selection tips shared here to good use for you and your dog’s best interest.
