I need help finding a really good dog trainer near Indiana for my 1-year-old German Shepherd. He’s a great dog but gets really anxious around people and other dogs. He’s also very protective and has some biting issues, so we need serious help. We tried Sit Means Sit in Noblesville, but they were useless. He knows basic commands like sit, stay, down, place, leave it, drop it, and even heel, but he won’t stay in position. He’s very smart and we love him, but we’re worried about his behavior. We’re willing to travel to nearby states for a good board-and-train program. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks, everyone!
Try asking your local animal shelter, vet, or even stores like Petco or PetSmart. They might have good trainer recommendations.
Before picking a trainer, I’d recommend reading this guide: https://reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/findingatrainer
Lauraliam said:
Before picking a trainer, I’d recommend reading this guide: https://reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/findingatrainer
Agreed! I just did a few sessions with a LIMA-based trainer for my reactive shepherd, and it made a huge difference.
@lincolny
Be careful—some trainers say they follow LIMA but don’t really. Watch out for anyone pushing ‘balanced training’ or talking about being the alpha, using prong/shock collars, or claiming to train like a mother dog or wolf.
Some trainers hide their methods on their website, so always ask directly how they handle both good and bad behavior. If they avoid answering or sound vague, ask for specific examples.
@Lauraliam
A good way to find qualified trainers is by looking for certifications like the Pet Professionals Guild or IAABC. Trainers with these certifications don’t use shock collars.
Sit Means Sit is not a good training program and can actually do more harm than good. I don’t even want to ask what they had you do, but if you go to a better trainer, let them know what methods have already been used so they can help undo any bad training.
Board-and-train programs are usually not a good option. They often make things worse, especially for a German Shepherd with a possible bite history. You don’t want to deal with the mess they might create.
This forum has some great resources on how to find a proper trainer. Have you checked them out? Try searching the IAABC website to see if any trainers come up in your area.
What have you tried so far with your dog? How are you training him, and what’s your approach to correcting these issues?
I’d stay away from board-and-train programs unless they’re affiliated with the Pet Professionals Guild. Most of them don’t use humane or effective methods.
Check out this guide on how to find a good trainer.