As mentioned in our article about dog obedience training, a dog trainer works with a dog suffering from a specific behavior problem in the environment that it’s most comfortable in: its own home. This article expands on the topic of dog trainers in more detail.

In addition to training dogs, a dog trainer also teaches owners how to handle a problematic pet. But because these lessons take place at the owner’s home, they’re much more expensive than classroom lessons.

If you’re interested in hiring a private trainer, or attending a dog training class, you must take care to select the right teacher. The way that a dog is trained will influence the way the dog interacts with others in the future. Should you hire a trainer that advocates negative training, you’re going to face a lot of emotional problems down the road. In general, the trainer’s method should adapt to the dog’s personality. So if your dog is shy, a friendly and loving trainer is much more appropriate than a stern trainer.

Ask around for quality leads from people you know and trust. Your own vet should have several leads on hand that point to dog trainers who teach with positive training methods. But don’t rush into a decision. Seek out recommendations from your groomer, kennel, breed club, and even your pet sitter.

Once you find a handful of impressive leads, set up an appointment to inquire about credentials, degrees, experience, and memberships in well known dog organizations. You should give special attention to trainers with an APDT membership (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). The more qualified and experienced a trainer is, the more comfortable you can feel. Qualified and experienced trainers tend to keep current with new training methods via special courses and workshops. If you don’t know a prospective trainer’s qualifications, by all means, ask for them.

While you’re interviewing a trainer, be sure to watch how the trainer interacts with your dog and then observe how well the dog responds to the trainer. If the dog is unresponsive, make a note of it but don’t rule out the trainer just yet. The dog may warm up to the trainer at a later time. If the dog shows an obvious disliking however, seek a different trainer. Some dogs don’t like a certain person for reasons unknown. In order for training to be effective, both trainer and dog must make an amicable match. The perfect match of course would create a joyous time for your dog, but sometimes the severity of a behavior problem might require a trainer with a stern approach (and less joyous time) rather than outwardly friendly one.

Here is a list of dog breeds that may especially benefit from a professional dog trainer:

Affenpinscher

Ainu

Airedale Terrier

Akbash Dog

Akita

Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Malamute

American Bulldog

American Eskimo Dog

American Staffordshire Terrier

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Kelpie

Australian Terrier

Beagle

Beauceron

Berger des Pyrenees

Bernese Mountain Dog

Black Russian Terrier

Border Colllie

Border terrier

Boston Terrier

Boxer

Bracco Italiano

Braque Francais

Braque Saint-Germain

Briard

Brittany

Bullmastiff

Canaan Dog

Canadian Eskimo Dog

Cane Corso

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Carolina Dog

Caucasian Ovcharka

Central Asian Shepherd Dog

Chart Polski

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chinook

Chow Chow

Clumber Spaniel

Coton de Tulear

Curly-Coated Retriever

Doberman Pinscher

Dogue de Bordeaux

English Cocker Spaniel

English Shepherd

English Springer Spaniel

Estrala Mountain Dog

Finnish Hound

Finnish Lapphund/Swedish Lapphund

Finnish Spitz

Flat-Coated Retriever

Fox Terrier

German Pinscher

German Shepherd Dog

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Wirehaired Pointer

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Gordon Setter

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Greenland Dog

Greyhound

Harrier

Hovawart

Ibizan Hound

Iceland Dog

Irish Terrier

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Wolfhound

Jack Russell Terrier

Jagdterrier

Kai

Kangal Dog

Komondor

Kraski Ovcar

Labrador Retriever

Lakeland Terrier

Leonberger

Lhasa Apso

Lowchen

Lundehund

Manchester Terrier

Maremma Sheepdog

Miniature and Toy Poodle

Miniature Bull Terrier

Miniature Pinscher

Neapolitan Mastiff

Newfoundland

Norfolk Terrier

Norwegian Buhund

Norwich Terrier

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Owczarek Podhalanski

Pekignese

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pharoah Hound

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Pomeranian

Portuguese Water Dog

Puli

Pumi

Rat Terrier

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rottweiler

Saluki

Samoyed

Sarplaninac

Scottish Terrier

Shetland Sheepdog

Shiba Inu

Siberian Husky

Sloughi

Slovac Cuvac

Small Munsterlander

Spanish Greyhound

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Standard poodle

Standard Schnauzer

Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Sussex Spaniel

Thai ridgeback

Tosa Ken

Vizsla

Weimaraner

Yorkshire Terrier