[Mastiffluvr]

My wife and I are picking up a bullmastiff rescue tomorrow. There are a few trainers in my area that offer training but how do I know if one is reputable or not? Is there certain organizations a good trainer should belong to, or certain "certifications" they should have.
We are a little fimiliar with training, as our last bullmastiff was very well behaved when we needed him to be. But this will be our first expericnce taking a dog to a trainer and I want it to be a positive experience for all of us.
I'll be sure to get some recomendations from the vet when we go Monday, but I thought someone may know of other ways to check them out.
BTW I'm in north-east CT.

[Shaina]

I found the best resources for detailed information were groomers and vet assistants. These are people who are around dogs all the time, hear about the training they've received and how the owners liked it. Best of all, they actually work with the dog when the handler is and is not there, so they witness how effective the training actually was.

Rescues are probably a good source as well, but the two I know of here also offer their own training courses, so of course they recommend those.


EDIT: Apparently I forgot to mention the trainers themselves, lol. Obviously talking to and watching them is the best, and most direct, way to discover if they offer what you want.

[Shalva]

Originally Posted by Mastiffluvr

My wife and I are picking up a bullmastiff rescue tomorrow. There are a few trainers in my area that offer training but how do I know if one is reputable or not? Is there certain organizations a good trainer should belong to, or certain "certifications" they should have.
We are a little fimiliar with training, as our last bullmastiff was very well behaved when we needed him to be. But this will be our first expericnce taking a dog to a trainer and I want it to be a positive experience for all of us.
I'll be sure to get some recomendations from the vet when we go Monday, but I thought someone may know of other ways to check them out.
BTW I'm in north-east CT.

I would go to observe a couple of classes..... they should let you in to watch how they conduct their training...... and I would go with your gut.... this is the biggest problem that I see..... people don't trust themselves when something doesn't seem right.... I would talk to the folks at your vet and I would see about recommendations from other folks who have dogs.... I would observe some classes and talk to the folks in the class and then trust your instincts......

s

[Annamarie]

ditto to what shalva said. ask the vets and local dog businesses, AND go see for yourself.

[TooneyDogs]

Ditto on watching some classes and the instructor. Ideally, the instructor will be making it clear the reason(s) for doing a particular exercise, offering alternative methods to accomplish the goal and spending some one on time with each student. Observe the students and their dogs noting whether they are engaged and enthusiastic.

[wvasko]

Originally Posted by Mastiffluvr

My wife and I are picking up a bullmastiff rescue tomorrow. There are a few trainers in my area that offer training but how do I know if one is reputable or not? Is there certain organizations a good trainer should belong to, or certain "certifications" they should have.
We are a little fimiliar with training, as our last bullmastiff was very well behaved when we needed him to be. But this will be our first expericnce taking a dog to a trainer and I want it to be a positive experience for all of us.
I'll be sure to get some recomendations from the vet when we go Monday, but I thought someone may know of other ways to check them out.
BTW I'm in north-east CT.

Everybody above is correct. but type of training program I have is the drop dog off and pickup 30 days later. I don't have classes to watch. I tell people when they call that I have more references than they have time to call. Which I then also include area vets they can call. I do something different, when dogs are finished with training, I video tape them and include instructions on tape. But even before (20 yrs ago) when I first started adding instructions to tape, I had always taped any dog that I finished training for my own protection. I don't think I'm unique, just paranoid. When new customers come I can let them see what my finished dogs look like, I just let them pick a DVD (more modern now) their choice and we watch it. Ok not everybody has this type of program, I don't know why, maybe they don't like what their finished dogs look like. If you go to a trainer that is a drop off type of trainer at the very least along with 3 references or more if you are nervous, he should have a dog at his kennel to work while you are there. Not one of his old reliable, personally owned dogs. It should be one he is presently training. (told you I was Paranoid)

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by wvasko

When new customers come I can let them see what my finished dogs look like, I just let them pick a DVD (more modern now) their choice and we watch it.

As good as this idea is, it should be required of all board and train trainers.

[wvasko]

Originally Posted by Curbside Prophet

As good as this idea is, it should be required of all board and train trainers.

Prophet
Thank you, when I decided to do this taping program, it was for me, not the customers. When I said I didn't think the trainers did not like what their finished dogs looked like, I was about as serious as I could be. I once had a owner that called about training her 2 Dobe puppies. I tossed a price at her and didn't get a return call (which happens) for about 3 months. I got a call and the owner was in Ohio, she had plans to drop off dogs to a trainer that was probably more personable than I am on the phone (more reasonably priced with shorter stay) She asked trainer to bring out a dog that she could view during a training session. Trainer did, and a lot of screaming went on during session at a dog ready to go home shortly. The owner did not leave her dogs. That is the point that I think all dog owners should think about before using any trainer. CHECK THEM OUT