Very often, in their search for a dog trainer, a new dog owner will ask the trainer if they are certified. Being certified sounds awesome, but what exactly does it mean? Please note that there are no federal or state requirements to be certified as a dog trainer. Simply put, if you know how to do it, you can do it.

So why did dog trainers say they are certified if there really is no recognized certification? If the dog trainer is a graduate of a dog training school, he will have received a certificate showing that he completed the course and that is generally known as a certification.

There are also several dog training organizations or clubs, whatever you want to call them that over the years to help your income stream, they have created what they call a certification program where for a fee you can take a test. If you answer enough questions correctly, you will be awarded a certification.

So with the certificate in hand, that means the dog trainer is really a qualified trainer or knows what he is doing. Good question, some do and some don’t, it will be your job to figure it out. You can do this by consulting with some of your former clients and also doing a Google search to see the level of their expertise.

I think one of the best methods of finding a qualified coach is simply by talking to him on the phone. Do they seem knowledgeable, communicate well, and display a high level of professionalism?

Another thing that is very important is where did you find this trainer? Was the coach simply posting an ad on a website like Craigslist.com? Here are some questions that I think you should ask. Are you licensed in and by your city? Does the trainer have a list in the phone book? Can the trainer give you references from clients and vets? These are things that are important and demonstrate your level of professionalism.

Keep in mind that a certificate is not a good dog trainer. I have been involved in dog training for over three decades and I can tell you that there are a ton of trainers who have never attended a dog training school. They have learned to train dogs on their own over the years and are highly qualified to help you train your dog.

On the other hand, every year there are new dog trainers graduating from dog training schools who are also highly qualified and have what it takes in terms of enthusiasm and basic knowledge to help you do a good job with your pet. family.

Therefore, keep in mind that a certificate is simply a piece of paper, more importantly the experience and knowledge that your coach possesses.