Have you noticed that your dog has some behavioral issues? Whether it is just a puppy, or an older dog, acting right away and resolving those problems is definitely important. For example, if your pet is reactive, and you are, therefore, fearful every time you have a walk with it, or every time someone comes over to your home, you certainly need to act on it.
Now, there are numerous reasons why your canine may be reactive. The problem may stem from poor socialization in its puppyhood, as well as from some negative past experiences. But then, some breeds also have a genetic predisposition to this. The fact that they have a genetic predisposition, though, doesn’t automatically mean that they will become reactive. Environmental factors are just as important, and it is the combination of the two that ultimately results in problematic behavior.
Read about the genetics behind fear and aggression in canines: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4977763/
Anyway, no matter what the causes of the issue are, one thing is for sure. It can all be quite frustrating and stressful, and you certainly want to have the problem solved as soon as possible. You want to be able to enjoy those walks with your dog without worrying about its reaction to strangers, to other animals, and to any kind of stimuli that may trigger it. How do you do that, though? How do you solve the problem?
Well, as you may have guessed it already, the key is in hiring a good trainer to assist you here. Sure, you could try doing something all alone, but chances are that you won’t be that successful, unless you’ve been a canine trainer yourself for a while already. If you don’t have the necessary knowledge and the skills to work with animals on resolving their behavioral problems, though, then hiring experts is the best course of action. What’s more, the key is in hiring the right experts.
So, how do you find and hire the right trainers in Fort Collins for your reactive dog? There are important steps to take towards that, steps that will help you find various professionals and check if they are a good fit for you or not. And if you are not sure which steps I am talking about, you can read on to find out, because I will list them for you below.
- Ask Around
Just like when you’re searching for any kinds of products and services, you should begin this process by talking to some of the people you know and trust. The key is, naturally, in talking to those people that have had dogs for a while, and that may have, thus, had to deal with the reactivity problem themselves. They could be able to recommend some trainers in Fort Collins and share their stories of the great experiences they’ve had with them. On the other hand, they may also tell you to stay clear of some trainers, in case they’ve worked with them in the past but haven’t been quite happy.
- Search Online
Naturally, the above is not where you should stop. Sure, you can trust that the people you know will give you good suggestions, but the point is that they won’t be familiar with all the trainers that work in this particular area. So, what you should also do is search for those professionals online, which is when you’ll come across Sit Means Sit and similar professionals, and generally find various different experts that could be able to offer you these services. Your task here, of course, is to create a list of potential ones, using both this step and the one I’ve mentioned above.
- Do Thorough Background Research
How do you choose one of the trainers from that list you’ve made, though? Should you go on a hunch and make a random decision? Well, I suppose you understand already that this wouldn’t be such a smart move. After all, you want to get the best quality services for your dog, meaning that you’ll need to do quite some research before making a final choice.
So, be patient and take as much time as you need to do thorough background research on the trainers in Fort Collins you’re considering. Start with checking their qualifications and licenses, proceed towards checking how experienced they are, and then also remember to inspect their reputation, aiming at figuring out how happy their past clients have been with the dog training services they have received. You may be able to find some relevant information on the official websites you’ll visit, but remember to search elsewhere online as well, and to get an objective overview of the quality of work performed by these professionals.
- Explain Your Problem Clearly
At one point, you will have to get in touch with some of the professionals you’re considering. Use that time to, for one thing, clearly explain the reactivity problem, letting the expert know what your dog reacts to usually, and what it is that triggers the bad behavior.
- Evaluate the Training Approach
Furthermore, use that initial contact to evaluate the training approaches of the experts you’re considering. Inquire about the methods they are using, and ask to observe a session if that is possible. Evaluating these approaches will help you determine if you would feel comfortable leaving your dog with a specific trainer in Fort Collins or not. This could also help you make the choice.
- Evaluate the General Compatibility
During the initial consultation, you should also bring your canine with you and try to assess the general compatibility of the trainer and the animal. Sure, you can expect your dog to exhibit problematic behavior here as well, because the trainer is a stranger at this point. But, you should remember to check how the professional approaches your pet, and whether the animal can feel comfortable around him or her. Compatibility is important because it is likely to bring great and quick results to the table, which is definitely what you want.
