Australian Labradoodles are TONS of fun, which is why so many people love them! They have the happy-go-lucky attitude of the Labrador and the super intelligent mind of the Poodle. Paired together, you get a fun-loving pup with an aptitude to learn. With a brain like that, your new Labradoodle will benefit from professional education from a certified instructor, but how do you go about finding a trainer you can trust?
Assess their Education
Unfortunately, dog training is an unregulated industry so any person off the street can claim to be a dog trainer and expect you to fork over tons of money for training. You want to get your bang for your buck when sending your dog to school, so always look for trainers who have received some sort of certification or education.
The Association of Professional Dog Trainers has tons of resources you can use when trying to find the perfect trainer for your pup. You can look up trainers near you, check out one of their many educational blogs and even research which training programs best align with your beliefs!
Like hair dressers or mechanics, people who are involved in a trade have plenty of opportunities for continued education. Does your dog trainer belong to any clubs or organizations that provide continued training?
Watch and Learn
A great way to decide if a trainer is a good fit for you and your pup is to watch them work. Observe the way they interact with the pups in their program and see if you get a good vibe from their methods. Is the trainer patient? Encouraging? Calm-natured? Do they bring out the best in the dog they are working with? Do they explain to the owners why they are doing what they are doing and what the desired end result is?
You can also talk to current or former students to get their feedback on the trainer! A reputable trainer will have quite the following and should get tons of praise from proud puppy parents. Find a trainer who makes the dog happy and the owner happy, those are the trainers you will enjoy working with!
Focus and Facilities
What you want your dog’s focus to be will also determine which trainer is right for you. If you are just looking for a well-behaved family pet, seek out a trainer who can help you with obedience training. If you are hoping to use your dog as a therapy animal or an agility competitor, a trainer with a more advanced skill set will be necessary. find a trainer who is involved in the activities you want to be involved in. Think about it this way: you wouldn’t pay for dance lessons from a person who has never danced before, would you?
Another way to gauge the trainers you are researching is by having a look at their facilities. Are they clean and well-kept? Are the dogs going in and out happy to be there? Do they have plenty of toys, treats and equipment for your dog to use? A good trainer can never be great with sub-par equipment.
We highly recommend that all of our graduates go through at least a basic obedience course. Puppies are tons of fun, but can also be tons of trouble as well. Taking the time to polish your pups education when they are young sets you both up for success in your lives together. As always, we have tons of resources to help you along the way in picking an appropriate trainer for your pooch.
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