Labradors are friendly, intelligent, and full of energy; and while these are great doggie traits to have, they can also make a Labrador challenging to train. If you have a Lab and need help with basic obedience, advanced behavior, or socialization (not uncommon with this breed), the very first step to take is to find a good trainer.
The professionals at Snowy Pines White Labs offer these suggestions for pet parents when selecting a trainer for your Labrador:
Training Tactics and Methods
It’s vital to know the trainer’s techniques before you commit to using one. When searching for a trainer, seek someone who uses methods of working with your dog in a positive manner – using food, play, and praise to get the dog to respect and follow the trainer’s commands. That’s how you can expect a Labrador to be best trained.
Experience with Labradors
Not every trainer is well-informed about every breed, and Labradors have some distinctive characteristics. It is best to find a trainer who has worked specifically with Labs (or at least with large, active breeds) because they will understand how to take all that enthusiasm and direct it into positive outcomes.
Professional Certifications
Our friends at Snowy Pines White Labs also suggest seeking out trainers who have earned professional certifications from well-respected organizations, like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), or Karen Pryor Academy.
Certification, of course, doesn’t guarantee a good outcome. But it does suggest the trainer has undergone a solid education and sticks to the kind of ethical standards that result in good training not just for dogs but for their human companions too.
Choices for Training and Their Flexibility
When it comes to training formats, trainers vary widely. Some provide one-on-one instruction, while others teach in group settings. Still others offer a combo pack of board-and-train followed by at-home obedience training. Pick a format that suits both your dog’s temperament and your lifestyle.
Group classes can step up your dog’s social game, but if what you really need is a private tutor for your pup’s specific issues, then sign up for a one-on-one format instead. Also check availability and location of trainers to ensure their services align with your schedule.
Evaluating a Dog Trainer through Reviews and Testimonials
Knowing a trainer’s reputation is paramount when placing trust in that individual to train your precious Labrador. When considering a trainer, seek out and read reviews and testimonials from past clients.
Look hard to find feedback from other Labrador owners. Their dogs are more similar to yours, making their trainer-related insights more useful. If the reviews and testimonials available to you are overwhelmingly positive, that’s a great sign; it suggests that the trainer is effective and well-liked.
Finding the Right Dog with Reputable Breeders Like Snowy Pines White Labs
It is essential to choose the right trainer for your Labrador if you want to have any say in the dog’s behavior and the relationship you have with it. Look for trainers who use only positive reinforcement, have ample experience with Labs, and have the credentials to back up their methods.
Make sure their training options fit your and your dog’s needs, and check reviews for real-world results. If you hire the right trainer, the next few months should result in a happy dog that behaves properly.
