Hi everyone,
My cat passed away recently after 16 years, so I’m thinking about getting a dog. I want your opinion on training—should I hire a professional trainer or try to do it myself at home? I have a few hours a day to spend with the dog, and maybe my 3-year-old son could help too. I don’t mind researching before getting the dog (which is why I haven’t got one yet). But I’m wondering, since I have no experience, if just watching YouTube videos and reading books will be enough or if I should get a professional. It feels a bit like “cheating” to get a trainer, since I think training should be about bonding with the dog, not outsourcing it.
If the dog becomes well-behaved, I’d love to take it hiking (I mention this because there are shepherd dogs on the trails, and we both need to be well-behaved).
Any advice would be appreciated.
Getting a dog trainer isn’t just about training the dog. It’s about teaching you how to train your dog. You will be the one working with your dog, not the trainer.
PuppyProwess said:
Getting a dog trainer isn’t just about training the dog. It’s about teaching you how to train your dog. You will be the one working with your dog, not the trainer.
I hadn’t thought of it that way. It makes a lot of sense to get a good trainer now.
I feel like training is meant to spend time with the dog, not outsource it
Hiring a professional trainer doesn’t mean you’re not spending time with the dog. You’ll still be there during the training sessions. You should be as involved as the dog. Also, the forum has a section on how to find a good trainer and what credentials to look for. There are a lot of trainers who claim to be experts but don’t have proper backgrounds. The forum also has some great resources for dog owners in general.
For your first dog, I highly recommend professional training. You could try YouTube or TikTok videos, but for a first-time dog owner, professional feedback is so helpful. Plus, classes allow your dog to socialize, which is really important. These classes only take an hour or two a week, so you’ll have plenty of time to work with your dog at home too. Saying professional training is ‘cheating’ is like saying going to a hairdresser is cheating. The trainer is giving you the basics that they’re trained in, but you’ll still need to practice them at home.
A good dog trainer is like a coach for you and your dog. Even experienced trainers sometimes consult others. Classes can be a cost-effective way to get the basics down, but you’ll still need to practice at home. If you want to address specific concerns, you could bring someone into your home. A trainer can see your dog’s environment and give advice that’s specific to your situation. I’d avoid send-away bootcamp training—it can be harsh and doesn’t build the bond between you and your dog.
@Flippa
Thanks for the detailed advice. I think I’ll spend less time on online resources and focus on finding a good trainer nearby.
You can do both. The trainer will teach you, and you can practice every day. I work with a trainer once a week, and she gives us homework to do with our dog every day. Some people go for board-and-train, but I think it’s important for the owner to be involved and build confidence working with the dog.
A professional trainer is really training you on how to train your dog. Most of the work will be between you and your dog. Trainers help with problems that come up between sessions and answer any questions you have.
For your first dog (and even for subsequent dogs), I recommend professional group classes. Don’t underestimate how valuable it is for your dog to learn to interact with other dogs. My dogs follow commands well at home, but in a class with other dogs, they can get distracted. If they can follow commands in a class with other dogs around, they’ll likely listen in public as well. My dogs now ignore other dogs on walks, and that’s a big win for me.
Start with a puppy class for puppies under 16 weeks, then move on to a basic obedience class. These classes teach you how to train your puppy and also help with socialization. You might also meet people for playdates. If you run into trouble, hire a trainer, but choose one who works with both you and the dog so you learn too.
Trainer.
The trainers I’ve worked with didn’t train my dog—they trained me. Even after four dogs, I still get helpful feedback from trainers.
Look for trainers who use positive methods.
Most professional training is about teaching the human to train their dog and build a healthy relationship with them. I recommend starting with that. Find a trainer with a good reputation who works hands-on with you and your dog. I’ve used trainers for almost every dog, except for one stubborn one who went to a ‘boarding’ school for a few weeks. It’s always an option if you’re struggling.
As a trainer, I suggest finding either a group class or doing private sessions with a trainer who teaches you how to train your dog.
You’ve already gotten great advice about working with a force-free trainer and taking your puppy to classes for socialization. Training the dog is easy; training the human is harder! 
Please avoid board-and-train programs where the dog is sent away. You and your family need to train the dog in your own home. Good luck and congrats!
I recommend classes for the socialization benefits. It helps the puppy learn how to behave in public places and around other dogs. My last dog did well in classes. When I was younger, I used DVDs for training, but that was with breeds that were easier to train and had lower socialization needs.
Get the training! With my first three dogs, I didn’t do much training, but with my current dog, we’ve been training since she was 8 weeks old, and it’s made a huge difference. One of the best pieces of advice from our trainer was to use gentle, consistent corrections without causing anxiety. I used to think rubbing a puppy’s nose in urine was the way to train, but now I know that causes anxiety and bad decisions. My dog is much more confident now.
Definitely do classes and practice a lot at home! Board-and-train programs can be helpful for some dogs, but they’re not the best for most. I loved working with the trainer we found at PetSmart. She was sweet, smart, and my dog loved her. But 90% of the work is still up to me to do at home.
We did classes at Zoom Room and also used Zac George videos at home.