Letter: How to avoid a tragic mistake choosing a dog trainer

Posted 8/15/18

To the editor:

Jarod Mayo and his family prayed for the safe return of their beloved English bulldog, Knox, for over two months.  When the body of his dog was found in the closet of a Cranston, …

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Letter: How to avoid a tragic mistake choosing a dog trainer

Posted

To the editor:

Jarod Mayo and his family prayed for the safe return of their beloved English bulldog, Knox, for over two months.  When the body of his dog was found in the closet of a Cranston, RI, dog trainer he spoke out saying: 

“Unfortunately, the answers we prayed for regarding Knox aren’t ones we were ready to face. Knox has passed and his body was found in the home of the off-leash trainer. It’s disgusting and inhumane that a company full of ‘dog lovers’ would hide a family pet in a closet for two months and compulsively lie and send us on a wild goose hunt and our kids on an emotional rollercoaster.”

Dog owners today have more dog training choices than ever before. I have been working with and training dogs since 1988 and never have there been more trainers, training programs, and training styles.

Today, a dog owner can send a dog off for a board and train program, they can send their dog to day camp, do private lessons, group lessons, online courses, books, YouTube videos, Facebook groups, Instagram stories, and much more.

There is so much to wade through it can be difficult and confusing for the new dog owner. I will share with you a few tips to help you make the right decision when choosing a dog trainer for your best friend. Some due diligence is needed on your part. You can start by making a list of dog trainers in your area with a quick Google search. With a little leg work, you can find a qualified trainer to help you with your dog. Here are seven tips to help you:

1. Check with people in the industry: This is a great place to start. Pet groomers, veterinarians, dog daycares, dog walkers, rescues, and shelters can provide feedback on trainers you are looking into. Veterinarians and groomers will know which trainers can help as they work hands-on and speak with the owners of dozens of dogs daily.

2. Reviews - Google reviews hold a lot of weight and are designed to help us make the right decision when we are looking for products or services. Any trainer with double digit 5-star reviews is a good choice. Google’s business is based on the trust they have worked hard to develop between themselves and their users. They work hard to find and penalize fake reviews. 

3. Facebook - Any legit dog training business will have a Facebook page with reviews. The trainer will often share blog posts, videos, answer questions, and more. This will help you learn more about the trainer and decide if they are right for you.

4. Referrals - Ask your dog owning friends and family members. They will be able to share their dog training experiences and you should also see the results with their dogs.

5. Videos - Does the trainer post videos of dogs they have worked with. The videos should also give you an indication of what type of trainer they are and little about their personality. 

6. Can you observe - Dog trainers should have nothing to hide with how they train dogs. We always offer potential clients the option to come and view a class before they have to make a decision. 

7. Free consultation - Many dog trainers offer a free first-time consultation. This is great for a dog owner trying to choose a dog trainer. This will give the dog owner the opportunity to meet the trainer and discuss their goals and challenges with no financial obligation. Dog owners should be leery of dog trainers who charge for this service. 

The Jarod Mayo story is tragic and very sad. I hope this short article helps find the right dog trainer for you and your dog. 

Eric Letendre

Westport

Mr. Letendre owns Eric Letendre’s Dog Training School in Westport. He is a former security K9 handler, animal control fficer, and author who has been working with and training dogs since 1988.

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