3 Signs You Need a Dog Trainer

Most people try to train their dogs themselves. After all, it’s a matter of pride and welcoming them into the family! But, of course, owners can run into trouble. They’d love to train their dog but run up against seemingly impossible issues. No matter what they do, their dog always seems to have other ideas. If you’re in this situation and your dog refuses to learn from you, this guide can help. It explores some of the signs you really need a dog trainer.

You Feel Overwhelmed

The first sign you need a dog trainer is that you feel overwhelmed. You’ve been practicing skills with your pup for months, but nothing seems to be going in. It’s like you’re bashing your head against a brick wall. If a situation like this develops, trainers can help. They work with your dog–yes–but they can also coach you. Their advice makes staying calm around an unruly pooch easier, no matter how badly they behave. Once coaching starts, you will feel more confident in your abilities. Slowly, you begin to see that you can win the battle and shape your dog’s character how you want. 

Bad Habits Are Taking Over

Another sign you need a dog trainer is when bad habits are taking over. You are taking your dog outside to drill them every day, but they keep doing things you don’t want. For example, your dog might jump up at guests when they arrive at your front door or bark at people as they walk along, minding their business. Your dog could also be chewing the furniture or eating food out of the bin. These behaviours can be distressing, but a dog trainer can correct them with relative ease. Professionals use a mix of positive reinforcement and fair correction to steer your pup in the right direction. After a couple of weeks, your dog can be unrecognisable. 

Your Dog Is Ignoring You

Finally, you should work with a trainer if your dog ignores you when you give instructions. Pups that don’t respond to their human parents could put themselves in danger (not to mention being disrespectful to you). If your dog ignores you, it means that your instructions aren’t their priority. They would much prefer to keep sniffing around the garden or sprinting away from you than do what you say. If this happens, trainers can help. They can pinpoint issues with your cues and help you correct them. For example, how you say “sit” or “come” could be confusing to your dog. Coaches can iron out your mistakes, giving you back your confidence.

Bringing It Back To Dog Training

So, wrapping this guide up, it’s worth mentioning that dog training isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about communicating with your pup and leaning on positive reinforcement so you can build a trusting and loving relationship with them.