I’m seeing a lot of posts asking about dog trainers and training options. The information out there is confusing, and because dog training is an unregulated industry, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. That should concern you.
This isn’t just about teaching a dog to sit. It’s about shaping a living being’s emotional health, stress response, and relationship with you.
Growing up with dogs does not equal professional education. Working at a vet clinic or grooming salon does not equal expertise in behavior. A qualified professional should have formal education in learning theory, behavior science, psychology, and critical thinking. They should pursue continuing education and understand what they are—and are not—qualified to handle.
Unfortunately, many of the trainers most heavily advertised rely on aversive tools and techniques because they require less knowledge of behavior science. Coercion is easier than understanding motivation.
And your dog deserves better than “easier.”
Your Dog Is Not an Object
Your dog is not a houseplant you add to your living room.
They are an individual with genetics, instincts, needs, and communication patterns. What matters to you may not matter to them. The goal isn’t control—it’s learning how to live together in a way that is mutually respectful and sustainable.
Training should support that relationship.
Not Every Dog Needs “Obedience”
Sit. Down. Stay. Come. Heel.
Dogs already know how to sit and lie down. What we’re really doing is attaching words to behaviors they naturally offer. The real question isn’t “Does my dog know commands?” It’s:
- Does my dog feel safe?
- Are their genetic needs being met?
- Do we communicate clearly?
- Is behavior rooted in stress, confusion, or unmet instinct?
For example, if you have a herding breed who lunges at cars, that behavior isn’t random. It’s instinct. The solution isn’t punishment—it’s providing appropriate outlets for the behavior they were bred to perform. Flirt poles, herding balls, structured outlets for chase. When needs are met, unwanted behaviors often decrease dramatically.
Understanding the Types of Trainers
Let’s clarify what these labels actually mean.
Dog Trainer
Teaches behaviors on cue. May or may not address underlying emotional motivation.
Force-Free Trainer
Uses positive reinforcement. Focuses on welfare, emotional state, and meeting genetic needs. Teaches skills without punishment.
Balanced Trainer
Uses both rewards and aversive tools (prong collars, e-collars, leash pops, slip leads, corrections). In theory, rewards first—corrections second. In practice, many move to punishment before behavior is fully learned.
Compulsion/Coercion Trainer
Relies on control, dominance language, and punishment. Suppresses behavior through fear or discomfort.
A Human Example
Imagine I give you a 500-piece puzzle and tell you I’m going to “train” you to complete it faster each time.
- One trainer encourages you and praises success.
- One reinforces you along the way—sometimes praise, sometimes a reward—making the process engaging and motivating.
- Another praises you when correct but yells or shocks you when wrong.
- The last punishes every mistake, and your only reward is avoiding pain.
Which environment would help you learn best?
Which environment would you choose?
Now ask yourself: Which one would your dog choose?
Behavior Is Communication
If a dog is barking, lunging, shutting down, or reacting, there is always an underlying emotional state driving that behavior.
Punishment can suppress the outward display.
It does not resolve the internal experience.
In many cases, it increases anxiety and damages trust.
Positive reinforcement is not permissive—it is effective. Dogs learn through association. Behaviors that are rewarded strengthen. When we use food, play, praise, and access to life rewards, we build clarity and safety. And the brain learns best when it feels safe.
What About Board-and-Train?
Board-and-train programs often produce quick results. But quick suppression is not the same as emotional resolution.
If your dog’s behavior is rooted in fear, stress, or confusion, removing them from you and using aversive techniques may silence the behavior temporarily. But the internal stress remains—and often resurfaces months or years later.
You should be part of your dog’s learning process. Training is relationship-building. It cannot be outsourced if long-term success is the goal.
Professionals in Behavior
- Behavior Consultant: Looks at underlying motivation—genetics, learning history, fear, confusion. Focuses on modification without punishment.
- Veterinary Behaviorist: A veterinarian who specializes in behavior and may prescribe medication alongside behavior plans.
Both look deeper than surface obedience.
Do Your Homework
You wouldn’t let just anyone babysit your child, repair your car, or rewire your house.
Don’t let just anyone shape your dog’s nervous system.
Recommendations from friends are a starting point—but many people don’t recognize fallout from aversive training until 1–2 years later when anxiety, aggression, or shutdown behaviors appear.
There are certifying agencies—but research them carefully. Some allow aversive methods. Some do not.
Here’s what I believe after 30 years:
If aversives are not necessary to train elephants, dolphins, whales, apes, or tigers—why would they be necessary for our dogs?
Your dog is a captive animal in a human world. They deserve education that builds trust, not fear.
Because in the end, obedience without trust is fragile.
And trust is the foundation of everything.