So many people have great intentions when it comes to training their dog. After all, training a dog is not that hard. You are simply communicating to your best friend that you want him to sit, to stay, to come. Your dog even knows some words of English already. (Try saying “cheese” to a dog!) He’s smart. You’re smart. But then you start off trying to train your dog and by the middle of the second lesson your dog is bored and you’re frustrated. You give up. Why does this have to happen?

As a professional dog trainer I believe the single biggest reason people give up training their dog is because dog training isn’t fun for them. But it can be fun! You can make training the dog fun for both your client and their dog. If training is fun then they will stick with it and the dog will enjoy learning. That’s what it’s really all about. Your client and their dog will be having a good time together.

So, how can you make training fun?

Keep in mind that dogs learn everything from their trainer. That means that he picks up on the owners attitude about training. If the owner thinks it’s boring then he will, too. If the dog owner approaches training with a positive attitude and is cheerful about it, then your dog will be a lot happier about his lessons.

There’s an old saying that what you’re feeling goes right down the lead to your dog and that’s completely true. Your dog can pick up on everything you’re thinking and feeling. Dogs are extremely perceptive. So, if you want your dog to have fun with dog training, the change in attitude has to begin with you!

Keep training fun…………….

Dog Trainer Coach has re-launched with a GREAT new feature.

I have something really special I want to tell you about today. In an effort to keep making Dog Trainer Coach better we are going to start a “LIVE” Question and Answer coaching session on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for Dog Trainer Coach members. Here is the best part………..this added new feature is FREE!

The coaching session will be done via the internet. You can log in on your computer and either listen in via a telephone or via your computer speakers. The session will be driven by questions pertaining to the Dog Trainer Coach program.

If you would like to attend simply go to www.DogTrainerCoach.com and signup before the first session on the 9th of June.

Like any other important skill, becoming a professional dog trainer can’t be learned overnight. It takes time and a great deal of hands-on experience with dogs and their owners. But there are some things you can do to get started on the path of becoming a professional dog trainer.

Experts recommend the following:

1. There are many dog training schools these days. Some are good and some aren’t. Be sure to check out any school that you are thinking of attending. Do you have access to the instructor? Check out our programs at www.K9-University.com/programs .

2. Attend seminars, workshops and conferences on dog training and behavior. These programs are usually relatively inexpensive and they allow the participants to get first-hand information from recognized experts in the field. Many dog training seminars are now offered online so you don’t have to travel.

3. You should also read books on the subject of dog training and dog development. Read as much as possible but don’t believe everything you read. Remember that every author has his own viewpoint. When you read about one training technique you should also read other authors who practice different techniques. Being well-read in dog matters, in general, it will help you as an all-around dog person. And, you should read more than just dog training material. Familiarize yourself with dog books on breeds, nutrition, canine sports — every aspect of dogs. You are considering making dogs your life’s work. Become an expert on them.

4. Watch videos of other trainers to observe their approaches to training. Again, you don’t have to agree with everything you see, but you should be aware of what’s going on in the dog world.

5. Consider volunteering at local animal shelters. This is a good way to practice some of your training skills and the shelter will be very appreciative. Dogs which have received some basic training in manners are more likely to be adopted and stay in their new homes.

It can take years of hard work and hard study to become a dog trainer. Enrolling in a good dog trainer programs can get you started without re-inventing the wheel. We never stop learning about dogs. Everyone has to start at the beginning and learn the basics.

You can learn to be a professional dog trainer by studying under trainers in courses, seminars and workshops as described here. Study dog training and dogs by reading everything you can find. Take a good course. If you follow these guidelines and continue to practice your skills, you will make it as a professional dog trainer.

There’s a saying among dog trainers to the effect that “the only thing two dog trainers can agree on is that the third trainer is wrong.” That may seem a little perplexing, but it does sum up the situation. People and dogs have been working together doing many tasks for a long time. There are many different ways of training dogs, probably as many different ways to train a dog as there are dog trainers. That’s actually a very good sign. Dogs are individuals, just as people are. There is no one-size-fits-all training method.

Dog trainers may love to argue about who is right and which training method is best but good trainers approach each dog as an individual. They try approaches and see what works with a particular dog. One dog may respond best to food motivation. Another may like it best when there is lots of play or baby talk. Another dog may need someone who is very firm with him.

Dogs were originally bred for different purposes. That means that they are still hardwired today to react in different ways when they are presented with the same situation. A Border Collie and a Pug will probably have different reactions when you first begin training them. A Border Collie comes from a background of herding and quick responses. A Pug has always been a small companion dog whose job was to comfort and amuse an owner. These two dogs will probably require different training. It would be foolish for a trainer to lock into one kind of training and try to apply it to every dog. Consider that there are over 400 breeds of dogs in the world, not to mention the countless mixes, and you can see that trainers have to be flexible.

Some dogs have very “soft” temperaments while others seem to be completely oblivious to corrections. A good trainer will try to figure out what makes a dog “tick” so they can make a connection with the dog. Finding a way to motivate the dog and helping the dog enjoy training is important. That’s one of the things that makes training each dog a very individual experience.

Experienced trainers may have worked with many different kinds of dogs and with different individuals. They will be able to choose different techniques from different dog training theories to apply them to particular situations. They may use positive reinforcement, some ideas from dog whispering, and some basic common sense to train a dog. With another dog they may find that the dog responds best to clicker training, for example. There are many options available to trainers. The best trainers know their options and choose the best ones for each dog.

A good trainer will probably avoid spending much time arguing about methods. There isn’t much point in arguing. It’s better to spend time working with dogs and finding out what works. There is no one right way to train a dog. There are only ways that work and bring good results — or not. Every dog is different. The goal is always to train the dog. If the method you’re using isn’t working you should explore other methods to find what does work. Keep working until you find the style of training that’s right for you and the dog you’re training.

What do you think about the subject? Please give us your opinion in the comments section below.

Until next time…….

DrugDogCoach.com will launch on Thursday April 30th. Please visit www.drugdogcoach.com for more info.