Dog Training in Tulsa: What to Look For in a Dog Trainer

It is overwhelming looking for a dog trainer.

When I started training in Tulsa 15 years ago, there were just a handful of folks in the field. That number has at least quadrupled over that time, with a great many of the "loudest" voices in the market belonging to those who are very saavy at search engine optimization and marketing - where their dog training skills take a faint third in terms of actual efficacy.

Even if you decide not to use my dog training skills to help you learn, I'd love to help you narrow the field so at least you and your dog don't get hurt.

1) Always look up your dog trainer not only on Google, but also on the websites for legal records like OSCN. It would absolutely shock you how many dog trainers have been convicted for animal abuse but still have the gall to keep peddling their services without remorse.

2) Always tour where they are keeping the dogs. If they hesitate to show you the facilities, you should run away as fast as possible. You should be pretty comfortable in that place as well. They should be able to explain their daily routine - it might not be exciting (exciting is actually bad, boring helps a lot of dogs to calm down) but it should roll off the tip of their tongue.

3) You should see other dogs they have trained - make them show their work! Some of this might be in videos, but a good trainer should also strive to have a good demo dog or two.

4) They should believe in their methods but they shouldn't make you feel guilty about other training styles. This is a big one - I use the Koehler Method of Dog Training because it is thorough, proven, and I can show my work. Are you a VERY BAD PERSON for using a different training style? No! Do what WORKS for you! I will ask that you stick to the program while you're working with me in our lessons so that you can get consistent results during my time teaching, but YOU are the boss of your dog and if you find something that gets you better results, go for it!

5) They should expect you to do the work. Anybody who promises to do the work for you is misleading you and likely taking your money because when your dog goes home, dogs will revert to previous behaviors as they are highly situationally specific. Unless YOU know how to handle the dog, you aren't getting your money's worth.

Granted, #5 means that you will have to do hard work to get good results, but that's really a good thing. Working hard makes us stronger.

That's my short list of how to find a good dog trainer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, among the dozens of options available. Ideally your dog trainer should be pretty humble, serious about their craft, and hopefully a good, patient, entertaining teacher as well.

Good luck my friends, and good dog training!