When Is It Time to Hire a Dog Trainer?

You love your dog, and you're pretty sure that your dog loves you. However, when it comes to obeying your wishes and behaving like a good citizen indoors and out, you may wonder if your four-legged pal has a rebellious streak. While the great majority of dogs respond well to training, there may come a time when you need to give up on DIY methods and call in the pros. Let's look at some key signs that your dog could benefit from an experienced dog trainer.

Your Dog Is Walking You (Instead of Vice-Versa)

You've probably seen dog owners struggling to keep their dogs from pulling on the leash, getting tangled up in it, or bolting off in any old direction at the sight of a squirrel. As common as this may be, however, you shouldn't dismiss it as normal or resign yourself to the experience. Uncontrolled leash behavior can easily lead to accidents or injuries, not to mention the possibility of losing your dog entirely if you let go of the leash. A trainer can teach your dog to walk safely and calmly without pulling or bolting.

Your Dog Shows Hostility

An aggressive dog can prove both frightening and dangerous. Your dog shouldn't growl, bare its teeth, bite, or nip at people or pets. This misbehavior can occur when a dog isn't used to being around strangers or has been traumatized in the past. If you can't tame this issue by distracting your dog with a toy or commanding it to stop, you need a dog trainer. If your dog actually injures someone, you might be legally liable and/or the court may order your dog destroyed.

Your Dog Barks and Barks

Almost every dog will bark occasionally when given a good reason. But what do you do if your dog barks its head off at all hours of the day? Your dog might think it's doing its job as a watchdog, or it might see something out the window that sets it off, such as the mail truck or other dogs out for a walk. Your dog may even be barking out of plain old boredom. A professional trainer can help identify the cause of the barking and suggest a strategy to shut it down.

Your Dog Loves People a Little Too Much

At the opposite end of the trouble scale, you might find yourself with a dog that loves making friends -- to the point of jumping up on people without prompting or permission. This misbehavior not only dirties clothing; it can also intimidate visitors or even knock a child down, causing injury. You can usually eliminate this problem by making sure your dog responds to commands such as "Sit" and "Down," dispensing treats when your dog obeys. But if you can't stop your dog from jumping on anyone and everyone, it's time for professional training.

Your Dog Can't Be Left Alone

Some dogs don't take solitude well, at least not at first. A dog unused to being left alone may experience separation anxiety, which in turn may lead them to cry, howl, bark, pee/poop in the house, and destroy furniture. A dog trainer can work with you to desensitize your dog so it can stand spending time without you. He or she can walk you through the process of pretending to leave for ever-lengthening periods until your dog feels comfortable with you leaving without feeling abandoned.

Your Dog Is an Escape Artist

Does your dog run outside every time you open the door? Your wandering dog could get hit by a car, attacked by another animal, or simply disappear. A dog may feel compelled to bolt out the door for a variety of reasons, from the aforementioned separation anxiety to boredom or a nervous reaction to loud noises. A skilled dog trainer can help you figure out why this behavior is happening, then train your dog to remain calm and listen to commands such as "Stay."

You Can't Spare Any Time for Dog Training

This last issue stems, not from your dog, but from your own merciless schedule. If you just can't spare the time and patience to go through the entire process of training your dog, it's better to leave that task to a full-time professional trainer than to do a slapdash job yourself (or not do it at all). The same holds true if you have little experience around dogs and have no clue about the fundamentals of dog training. Trainers are master communicators who can teach your dog basic commands and obedience skills, paving the way for you to enhance that training on your own as your personal circumstances change.

When Dog Training Doesn’t Work – Your Vet Might Have the Answer

In some cases, standard training techniques simply won’t work on a dog because of a medical issue. For example, a dog that has lost its hearing may not respond to aural commands, while an animal struggling with an obsessive-compulsive disorder may need more than training to stop chasing its own tail. If even the pros can't train your pet, schedule a wellness exam with your veterinarian to see whether medical treatments or alternative training techniques might help your dog learn how to behave.