There are many things you need to be cautious of when looking for a dog trainer. A good dog trainer/dog behaviorist is a professional with whom you should feel comfortable and safe. Naturally, if a dog trainer refuses to or cannot provide you with references it is an obvious cautionary sign. However there are several others signs you should be aware of.

1. Be wary of a dog trainer claiming to be the only one capable of helping your dog.

2. Avoid a trainer that blames you entirely for your dog's bad behavior. Although owners do influence their dog's behavior there are other factors that factor in to understanding your pet such as breed, age, medical condition, and early experiences.

3. A trainer should never guarantee results. Guaranteeing results as a dog trainer is unethical and impossible. The APDT code of ethics clearly states: "Members refrain from giving guarantees regarding the outcome of training, because there is no sure way to guarantee the cooperation and performance of all parties involved and because the knowledge of animal behavior is incomplete."

4. Dog trainers that spend more time promoting books, products, doing TV/ Radio shows or seminars than training dogs should be avoided.

5. If a trainer tries to separate you from your dog claiming that they can get results faster without you being around this is a clear sign of incompetence.

6. Avoid any trainer that promotes the usage of alpha rolls and/or wolf-bite simulations, choke, pinch or electronic shock collars.

7. Beware of a trainer that tells you how quickly they can correct your dog’s behaviors or how many lessons will be needed without working with your dog first.

8. Stay away from dog trainers that have no professional affiliations. They should be affiliated with the APDT, the NADOI or another similar association.

9. Avoid any trainer that admits to using aggressive tactics or force to train a dog.

10. Most importantly, never choose a dog trainer that seems uncomfortable or fearful in your dog’s presence. Good dog trainers should like dogs and interact with them naturally.

If you are looking for a dog trainer in Los Angeles area, please feel free to contact us at (310) 390-0380

Los Angeles dog trainers specializing in canine behavior modification. For more information about Los Angeles dog trainer and dog behaviorist David Reinecker, please read his bio

We offer dog training programs for dog aggression, dog barking, puppy training, separation anxiety, dog hyperactivity, basic obedience training and more.

If you are calling around and have been turned down by other Los Angeles dog trainers, please don't give up, your dog may need a behaviorist, dog trainers sometimes are not able to help because they do not specialize in behavior. David is not only a dog trainer who provides basic obedience training, but he also has more than 20 years of proven experience preventing and managing dog behavior problems in Los Angeles area. Feel free to visit our testimonials page.

At Dog Remedy, we are committed to saving dogs’ lives. We do not believe that euthanasia is ever the solution for a problem dog. When it comes to treating behavioral problems such as aggression, separation anxiety or hyperactivity, a professional canine behaviorist does not provide advice over the phone. No dog trainer should give you any kind of recommendation about your dog and any behavioral issue without first conducting an in-home evaluation. It seems this has become a normal practice among dog trainers in the Los Angeles area as many do not have experience with aggression cases or they are simply afraid of aggressive dogs. Many times, dog trainers will advise owners to put aggressive dogs down even when they are just a puppy. This is not the solution or an acceptable business practice. Please feel to call us to discuss alternatives other than just sending your dog away.