How to Choose a Dog Trainer

Choosing a dog trainer can feel overwhelming. Search online and you’ll find dozens of options, all claiming to use the “best” methods.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Dog training is an unregulated industry.

Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. There’s no government body checking whether someone can actually train dogs.

So the real question isn’t:

“What methods do they claim to use?”

The real question is:

“Can they actually get results?”

After working with thousands of dogs over the years, I’ve noticed that the biggest mistakes owners make when choosing a trainer come down to one simple problem.

They hire someone who shows no evidence that they can solve the problem they’re being hired for.

Let’s look at how to avoid that.

 

 

1. Look for Evidence of Real Results

In any practical skill, results matter.

You wouldn’t hire a tennis coach who had never improved a player’s game.

You wouldn’t hire a plumber to tell you all about plumbing but never actually do any work. 

Dog training is the same.

A good trainer should be able to show evidence such as:

• Client testimonials
  
  

• Before-and-after videos
  
  

• Case studies
  
  

• Demonstrations of trained dogs
  
  

• Evidence they’ve solved the same problem before
  
  

If someone only talks about training but never shows proof, that’s a warning sign.

 

2. Avoid Trainers Who Only Talk About Training

One of the biggest red flags is when training sessions consist mostly of discussion rather than practical work.

Talking about training is easy.

Actually training dogs is harder.

A good trainer should:

• Work hands-on with you and your dog
  
  

• Demonstrate the exercises
  
  

• Help you practice them
  
  

• Adjust the plan based on how your dog responds
  
  

If a trainer spends most of the session explaining theory while very little actually happens with the dog, that’s usually not a good sign.

 

3. Ignore the “Methods Debate”

Many owners get stuck trying to decode labels like:

• “Force-free”
  
  

• “Balanced”
  
  

• “Positive only”
  
  
  

The problem is that these labels are unreliable indicators of quality.

There are poor trainers using every approach.

A label doesn’t tell you whether someone can train dogs well.

Evidence of results does.

 

4. Choose Someone Who Has Solved Your Specific Problem

Different trainers often specialise in different areas.

For example:

• Puppy classes
  
  

• Reactivity training
  
  

• Recall training
  
  

• Dog sports
  
  

• Aggression cases
  
  

If your dog struggles with reactivity, it makes sense to hire someone who regularly solves reactivity problems, not someone who mostly teaches puppy classes.

A simple question to ask is:

“Have you worked with this problem before and achieved a good result?”

Follow it up with:

“Do you have testimonials or examples?”

Good trainers will usually be able to show you.

 

 

5. A Real Example: Lola the French Bulldog

A good example of why choosing the right trainer matters is a French Bulldog puppy called Lola.

Lola’s owners contacted us because she was terrified of people and other dogs. She was so frightened that she wouldn’t even go for walks.

Initially, they decided to work with another trainer.

Unfortunately the experience was very bad.

During the session the trainer repeatedly choked the puppy on a slip lead. The female owner found it so distressing she couldn’t watch, and the puppy eventually became physically sick.

They asked the trainer to leave.

Afterwards they reached back out to us.

We worked with them initially in a single in-person session and recommended joining our puppy classes in Bristol so Lola could rebuild positive experiences around other dogs and people.

Within four weeks:

• Lola was walking confidently
  
  

• She was happy around dogs and people
  
  

• Her owners felt relaxed taking her out again
  
  

The difference wasn’t magic.

It was simply clear guidance for the owners and the right environment for the puppy to rebuild confidence.

 

6. Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring a Trainer

Before booking, it’s worth asking a few simple questions.

For example:

• Have you worked with this problem before?
  
  

• What results did you achieve?
  
  

• Do you have testimonials or videos of similar cases?
  
  

• What training format would you recommend and why?
  
  

Good trainers should be comfortable answering these.

 

7. Choose the Format That Fits You and Your Dog

Dog training can be delivered in different ways:

• Group classes – great for learning skills and socialisation
  
  

• Private sessions – more tailored support for specific problems
  
  

• Board and train programmes – intensive training done by the trainer
  
  

• Online coaching – flexible support from home
  
  

The right option depends on:

• Your dog’s behaviour
  
  

• Your goals
  
  

• Your budget
  
  

• Your own learning style
  
  

• What the trainer believes will work best
  
  

A good trainer should help guide you toward the format that makes the most sense.

 

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right dog trainer doesn’t need to be complicated.

Ignore the marketing language and focus on one simple question:

Can this person show evidence that they can achieve the result I want for my dog?

If the answer is yes, and you feel comfortable with them then you’re probably on the right track.