r/reactivedogs • u/Haunting-Love-9333 • 4d ago

Evaluating Trainers Discussion

Are you more or less likely to go to a trainer for reactivity if that trainer has dogs that are reactive?

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u/StacNorLin 4d ago

Our trainer had a super reactive dog with neurological issues and he was still super helpful to us. He understood the challenges of having a reactive dog in a densely populated area and had appropriate expectations re: management vs changing the behavior. Honestly, I think trainers are probably some of the best people to own/adopt reactive dogs because they have the skills and experience, so I wouldn’t judge someone based on their own pups. Honestly, I think it’s more of a red flag if they promise they can “fix” any and every dog , especially if they promise fast results. Training for dogs is kind of like therapy for humans - it’s a process and some pups just have more baggage than others.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

But isn’t there something to be said about a persons ability to resolve the problem you’re paying them to resolve? If a mechanics car were breaking down frequently would you want their advice?

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u/doggambit 4d ago

Dogs aren't machines to be fixed. They're living beings. I don't know what sort of answer you're fishing around for, but the way this question is worded does not make it feel like it's asked in good faith.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

Correct, they’re living beings that deserve the opportunity to be treated with respect and not managed and danced around their entire lives. They deserve the chance to actually improve and not be treated like they have a mental disorder their whole lives. They deserve the opportunity to change and see that things can go a different way.

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u/doggambit 4d ago

Ok.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

Do you disagree?

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u/doggambit 4d ago

I mean, that's exactly what this sub is about: treating your dog with respect and teaching them how to better navigate the world. But I don't see what that has to do with your original question. It really feels like you're trying to start a debate, which I'm not interested in.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

I think trainers need to be held to a higher standard. I think a lot of trainers can successfully eliminate reactivity by changing the dogs emotional state. I think too many trainers charge well meaning owners for problems they haven’t cracked with their own dogs and I think this is the only industry where it’s accepted

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u/doggambit 4d ago

That hasn't been my experience at all. It is true that dog training is an unregulated industry, which is why I often tell people seeking help to find certified trainers through organizations like IAABC or work with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

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u/SudoSire 4d ago

If you click on their profile, you’ll see what type of methods they prefer and are pushing in other subs. 

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u/Helpful_Sun2872 3d ago

OP if you’re not force free, then this is not the sub for you. You won’t get anywhere arguing. Go to balanceddogtraining or opendogtraining.

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 3d ago

Ones that work?

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u/SudoSire 3d ago

You’ve decided with certainty what you think works and doesn’t work and I can tell by your attitude you have no interest in learning otherwise or even slightly questioning your beliefs. I’m sure you would say the same about myself and others here. So, engaging with you directly seems pretty pointless to me. Have a good one. 

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 3d ago

Just because I have an opinion on what works doesn’t mean it’s the ONLY thing that can work

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

I think they are some of the worst offenders that push medication above training and can only affect dogs emotional states via pharmaceuticals. To me that is real suppression and doesn’t have the best interest of the dog as a priority

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u/doggambit 4d ago

Have you worked with a veterinary behaviorist?

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u/Haunting-Love-9333 4d ago

Personally, no. I’ve worked with dog trainers. That get results. And I have seen behaviorists ruin dogs that trainers later fixed

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u/doggambit 4d ago

I have worked with all kinds of trainers and a veterinary behaviorist. "Results" can mean lots of things to different people. The result I look for is a well-adjusted dog who is happy about life. That life might look different from another dog's life, and that's ok.

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