How to Choose the Right Dog Trainer (Without Getting Scammed)

It’s Not Rocket Surgery, but it is Hard — And it Shouldn’t Be

Choosing a dog trainer shouldn’t feel like detective work, but unfortunately for many dog owners in the U.S., it often does.

The dog training industry has no licensing requirements, no universal certifications, and no governing body regulating who can call themselves a “professional.” That means anyone can take a course, open a business, take your money, and handle your dog — even without education, ethics, or experience.

This makes it hard for those of us who do and genuinely want to help by evaluating the behavior and giving you a plan.

For dog owners, especially first-time pet parents or those dealing with challenging behaviors, this lack of structure creates confusion and risk. One trainer may swear by rewards and relationship-building, while another believes in using a more punitive approach. One might promise “guaranteed results,” while the other focuses on the dog’s emotional wellbeing.

No wonder you feel overwhelmed.

Your dog deserves a trainer who uses humane methods and can teach you as well. You deserve clarity, transparency, and someone who respects both you and your dog. I’m breaking down exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to confidently choose a professional who will genuinely help your dog succeed.

Understand a Trainer’s Methods - and Expect Them to Explain Everything Clearly

The first and most important step is understanding how a trainer works. If they can’t explain their methods without slipping into jargon (even saying some common buzz words like “fear free” can show that they’re following a script and ideology, not behavior) or defensiveness (getting angry with you for even questioning), that’s an immediate sign they may not even fully understand what they’re doing.

Anybody can follow a script based on a bought curriculum — not everybody can alter behavior effectively.

We’re Not in Sales, We’re in Education

A professional trainer should be able to walk you through their philosophy, why they teach the way they teach, and how they approach different concerns that people have had. That includes explaining how reinforcing good behavior, shaping new skills, managing the environment, and preventing unwanted behaviors before they start play into their training without confusing you.

If your consultation with a trainer sounds preachy or like a sales pitch for a specific program of theirs, look somewhere else.

Consultations are your opportunity to ask questions and troubleshoot immediate concerns to make sure the trainer is aligned with your goals; if you like your trainer, you won’t need convincing.

Most modern professionals follow reinforcement-based approaches and use their training aids ethically and with great responsibility. Any trainer should be able to adapt to your comfort and learning style, not persuade you into following their command before you even see any results by pressuring you into a training package or board-and-train.

When a trainer is transparent about their choices, it shows they have nothing to hide. When they can’t explain their tools or techniques, or insist on using one particular approach, it usually means they don’t do all of the behind-the-scenes work; ethical trainers are educators, not salespeople.

Make Sure the Trainer Has Experience with Your Dog’s Specific Needs

All trainers have strengths and areas of specialty. Actually, it’s a sign of professionalism when a trainer acknowledges what they’re good at and what is outside their scope.

Ethical Trainers Are Honest and Collaborative

A trainer who works primarily with puppies may not be the best fit for a dog with severe reactivity. A behavior consultant who focuses on aggression cases may not be the right choice for someone whose only goal is basic home manners. For example, I tend to focus on functional obedience and confidence building in pet dogs — I would turn away someone looking to get into the show ring.

A trustworthy trainer will ask a set of questions about your household, your dog’s health, your daily routine, and your goals for training before they work with your dog. They will want to know how your dog behaves in different environments and around different people or animals. They will look for stress signals, comfort levels, and behavioral patterns you may not have noticed to give you additional insight.

If a trainer skips these steps or insists every dog should follow the same “proven” system, you’re likely to end up with a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t account for your dog’s individuality and lifestyle concerns.

It’s also important that your trainer respects the role of your veterinarian.

Dogs with sudden behavior changes, pain, or medical issues may need vet support as part of the training plan. Trainers who refuse to collaborate with veterinary professionals often overlook the biological factors behind behavior.

Ethical Trainers Will Encourage You to Schedule a Consultation or Watch a Session

A quality consultation sets the tone for everything that follows. This should feel like a conversation, an assessment, and an educational session all at once. Additionally, dog trainers who own their own facility or train in public may invite you to sit in on a session to watch how they teach and how they approach real-time challenges.

Trust Your Gut, Not Facebook

During a consultation, a professional trainer evaluates your dog’s overall presentation in that moment, taking your stated history into account. They’ll take their time observing how your dog interacts with you, with them, and with the environment. A good trainer gives you insight into what your dog is communicating and why certain behaviors happen. You should leave with a clearer understanding of your dog’s strengths, challenges, and learning style.

Asking Facebook for recommendations is one thing, but you see the state of our country — you can’t always trust someone else’s word, but it doesn’t hurt to be curious and schedule a meeting to see what’s up.

If a trainer spends more time trying to impress you with reviews and success stories than helping you understand your dog and work with them confidently, or if they pressure you and your dog into uncomfortable situations, trust your instincts and walk away.

The consultation also gives you a chance to observe the trainer’s demeanor. Do they push your dog too fast? Do they wait for signs of comfort? Do they handle your dog gently and respectfully? Do they check in with you, talk you through what they’re doing, and explain things in a way that makes sense? You should always be a part of the training process, not an afterthought or a follow-up.

However, if they invite you for a session to sit in and watch, you’re merely an observer to the chaos. Ethical trainers will not expect you to know the specifics of what was happening and will invite you to ask questions after the demo session, but they probably won’t engage you into it like they would with your own dog.

Pay Attention to Their Communication Style

Good Dog Trainers are also Good People Trainers

You will spend far more time practicing at home than you will in a session with a trainer, which means you need a trainer who can break things down clearly and teach you just as effectively as they teach your dog. You should be ending a session with more knowledge and skills than you had before.

Pay attention to how they speak to you. Do they explain concepts in a way that feels manageable? Do they check your understanding? Do they encourage your questions, or do they make you feel silly for asking?

A trainer should empower you, not intimidate you.

Communication often reveals a trainer’s mindset. Trainers who blame owners for mistakes or blame dogs for “being stubborn” typically rely on outdated interpretations of behavior. Trainers who take the time to explain why behaviors happen, along with what you can do about it, understand the science behind what they teach.

The right trainer gives you confidence. The wrong one creates confusion.

Be Cautious of Anyone Selling Quick Fixes - Especially Online

A well-trained dog is not the result of a miracle method… it’s the result of time, consistency, reinforcement, and understanding. If a trainer claims your dog will be “perfect” after one session, promises that buying their online course is the key to a well-behaved dog, or guarantees results in a specific timeframe, that’s a major red flag.

Dogs are complex, emotional beings, and real behavior change requires patience and proper support.

Online Courses are Supplemental, not a Replacement

Quick fix promises often rely on suppressing behavior through fear or discomfort, i.e., you buy an online course and the first thing you see is the “recommended training tools” list. The use of tools, especially prongs or e-collars, may stop the behavior in the moment, but it usually doesn’t get to the cause of the behavior and only masks the symptoms when applied inappropriately.

Ethical trainers focus on long-term, sustainable progress that strengthens your relationship with your dog instead of stressing it by leaving you to your own devices and taking your money.

A professional will be honest about timelines. They’ll explain possible setbacks, plateaus, and the role lifestyle, health, and environment play in training.

They won’t pretend training is magic — because it isn’t.

~ Ashley