Helen@helshounds.co.uk +44(0)7356 072133

Trainer red flags

Hel’s Hounds

So you’ve found my website, awesome, I’m so glad you are here!

But, I bet you are thinking, how do I know this trainer is a good one? How do I know they are right for me and my dog?

Maybe you have encountered trainers who have made things worse for you or have not cared about your dog’s emotions and feelings (because, yes, I know that your dog has their own emotions and feelings and that they can be big and scary for them just like ours).

Perhaps you have been disappointed with promises of cures, quick fixes and solutions that will give you a perfect pooch… but your doggo is already perfect!

Some red flags when you are talking to a potential trainer or training service can include:

Promises or guaranteed fixes
Using debunked or outdated theories, such as dominance theory, no your dog is not trying to dominate you, nor do they need you to be their “alpha”. Or punishment during potty training.
Trainers who use aversive tools, such as pinch collars, shock collars or other pain or fear-inducing tactics.
If they have to say, “Don’t worry, it’s not really hurting them” about their training techniques.
If you feel something is off, trust your gut.
Trust your dog; if they do not like or trust the trainer by the end of the first session, then they may not be right for you.

Dominance theory - Dogs trust

The Caesar way - its a long read

Outdated methods to avoid

My Promises to you as my client

There are things that I cannot and will not promise you. I will not promise that I can fix everything. I cannot promise that I am the right trainer for every dog. I don’t claim to be the font of all knowledge; there are things I don’t know.

I will do my best for you and your dog

My best may look different from one day to another, but I will do my best for you, your dog and your family. I am invested from the moment I hear your story, wether it is one of a first time dog owner getting a bit lost in the fog of information or a veteran dog parent with a puppy who is just a ball of energy and needing an extra hand.

I will care for your dog like they are my own, and I will advise nothing that I wouldn't do with my own pets.

I will support you to the best of my ability

No matter what is happening or your problems, I will give you all the support I can.

I am just a phone call, text or email away if you need help, clarification or advice with the training we are working on.

I will do everything I can to make sure that the advice I give is safe and scientifically sound

I will keep my education up to date because I cannot teach you or your dog without keeping my education up to date.

Being a teacher to you and your dog is a privilege. I promise that I will do my best to ensure you get the knowledge and understanding you need from our sessions to allow you to carry on with the work we have started and build a solid bond with your dog.

I will not judge you

There is no judgement here. You can’t be expected to be an expert, if you were, you wouldn’t be here! There are no stupid questions, so ask away.

Your past actions and choices are precisely that: past. While I might need to know about them to help, I'm not asking to judge you or to make you feel bad. I am asking only so that I can help you put it right, to help you learn from the mistakes and move forward.

I will always tell you the truth

The truth… we all say we want it, but when the moment comes, sometimes the truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

I promise that I will always give you the truth as I understand it. However hard it may be, the truth is the only way forward, in my opinion.

All I ask is that you are honest with me, I need to know the full story of what is going on, the good, the bad and the ugly. That is the only way I can help.

If I don’t think I am the right trainer for you, I will tell you

Just like telling you the uncomfortable truths, sometimes I might have to tell you that your dog needs something that I cannot offer, or perhaps they just aren’t taking to me. It happens sometimes.

Just like you won’t get on with everyone at work, you can't expect your dog, regardless of how social they are, to like every person they meet.

If I don’t know something, I will say so

I am not a font of all knowledge; there are limits to my understanding, and I am not ashamed to admit that.

What I promise is that if you find a gap in my knowledge, I will not try to cover it. I will do my best to find you a safe, science-backed answer.

You will always be part of my “pack”

Once I meet you and your dog, once I hear your story, your pup will always be a Hel’s hound.

If you need any training help, advice, or support, you only need to reach out to me. I will always try to help you if I can.

From crate to grave, I will be your dog back up.