Do you need to hire a trainer?

The chances are good that if you're reading this, you're a dog lover. Some dog lovers don't necessarily want to admit that your dog has a behavioral problem that needs to be address. Others think that their dog is unique and requires that kind of special attention. Depending on the type of pet owner you are, your attitude will probably fall somewhere between these two extremes. So how do you really know that your dog's behavior needs professional help? How do you know when it's time to hire a dog trainer?

First you'll have to consider that type of behavioral issues you're having with your dog. A dog that has a common problem such as urinating inside the house or barking at strangers can probably be helped if you do a little research on your own and attempt to make behavioral corrections. But if your dog exhibits a more chronic and unhealthy behavior, such as scratching or refusing to ever get in a car, then you might need to address that behavior with a professional.

Keep in mind that it's important where you believe the dog's behavior is coming from. A dog barking at another dog isn't an uncommon thing; thought you want your dog to be as relaxed as possible at all times, barking at other dogs is common enough that most people won't interpret this as a serious behavioral problem. That's because there isn't a lot of anxiety that goes into a problem as simple as barking at other dogs.

When dogs don't get enough exercise or challenges in their life, they might develop a few nervous ticks or habits - habits like chasing its own tail constantly - that give them some sort of outlet for this anxiety. When you know a dog is exhibiting a behavior you haven't really seen before, and you believe that it's coming from a place of anxiety, then you know it's time to call someone in.

Ultimately, hiring a dog trainer is a judgment call on your part - you have to be careful about the type of trainer you get. Some are willing to take on any challenge in order to have a client, while others might be upfront with you and tell you that there isn't much work to accomplish with your dog. Look for a dog trainer that is upfront and makes things simple to understand.

If your dog is exhibiting abnormal behavior, you should definitely at least consult a professional or two for some quick opinions. Take their advice with a grain of salt - they'd like your business, after all - but do take it into consideration.

Photo Credits: Alan Stanton