The skills of a professional dog trainer are very specific to the job they do. We mean that these skills not only serve to make the dog they are going to train to obey them but also to make their teachings effective. In addition, the better the techniques they use, the faster the results will be seen. So, if you are passionate about animals and want to develop the necessary skills to become a professional trainer, keep reading this post.
What skills does a dog trainer have?
A dog trainer understands training as his/her job. Therefore, he/she will give his/her best effort to ensure that the training techniques work correctly. In addition, these professionals must understand the natural behavior of dogs, including how they communicate, how they learn, and how they react to different situations. For this reason, it is very important to find a good dog trainer whose way of working fits the problem at hand. To do this, he/she must have a series of skills, both learned and innate, to carry out his/her functions with total naturalness and efficiency. Let’s see what they are:
Consistency in giving orders
One of the most essential characteristics for the dog trainer’s techniques to work is consistency. The dog has to receive the same information all the time. If it receives contrary information and does not understand the message, the training fails. Likewise, the owner should not come between the professional’s orders and the pet. In this sense, he/she has to contribute to the dog understanding the order, without overruling the trainer’s decisions. In this way, the owner must get involved in the dog’s training process.
Clarity in orders
With both children and pets, we often make the mistake of thinking that they have not heard or understood us. When you want to educate or, in this case, train, you only need to give the order once. Under normal conditions, the order will reach the animal’s ears or eyes immediately. If the dog does not pay attention, it is probably because it does not want to pay attention. Therefore, there is no need to bother repeating it. On the other hand, the trainer only says the order once, and it is essential that the owner contributes to the performance and does not repeat things either. The dog has to learn that the owner’s voice is the order and that it has to obey immediately.
Likewise, in those moments when the dog does not obey, it is advisable to wait for him to do so. On the other hand, if he obeys several orders, you should wait a while between orders and reward him and praise him for it, because that is what positive reinforcement is all about.
Speed
It is not about acting quickly, but rather responding quickly to the dog’s responses. When an owner improves his/her level of training, he/she will give orders and the dog will respond correctly. However, it is normal that at first, it is difficult to give orders or that the responses are not as expected. Therefore, the owner must not lose composure and continue with the training and the relevant orders, always under the advice of the dog trainer.
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How does a dog trainer help?
Just like people, dogs need to be happy in their lives. However, when the owner gets angry with them because they misbehave and do not obey, the tendency is to scold them. Therefore, a dog trainer can help the communication between owner and dog flow and understand each other.
Dogs also need attention and affection and feel part of the pack (family). When they destroy objects and disobey, the last thing you want to do is give them cuddles, but this does not contribute to their happiness or that of their owner. That is why, through the dog trainer, certain behaviors can be modified, thus improving the coexistence between the dog and the family.
Common focus areas that a dog trainer may address include:
Basic Obedience: This includes teaching basic commands such as sit, stay, down, walking on a leash, come when called, and leave it.
Socialization: Help puppies and adult dogs properly socialize with other dogs and people, reducing aggression and fear.
Aggression and fear management: Helping dogs overcome aggression, anxiety or fear issues, such as fear of loud noises or aggression towards other dogs.
House Training: Teaching dogs to behave appropriately in the home, including crate training and bark control.
Advanced Obedience Training: For dogs that have already mastered basic commands, more advanced commands such as tricks, “fetch,” or “fetch” can be taught.
Service and therapy dog training: Preparing dogs to perform specific functions, such as guiding people with visual impairments or providing emotional support as therapy dogs.
Working Dog Training: Dogs that work in areas such as police, drug detection, or search and rescue, they are trained to perform their specific functions.
Behavior Problem Solving: Helping owners address unwanted behavior issues such as aggression, separation anxiety, furniture destruction, or marking.
How much does a dog trainer earn?
The salary of a dog trainer in Spain can vary depending on several factors, such as geographic location, the experience of the trainer, and the demand for dog training services in that specific area. Below I have provided a general estimate of salaries for dog trainers in Spain:
Beginning Dog Trainers: Dog trainers who are just starting their careers can earn around 800 to 1,500 Euros per month. This can vary depending on location and number of clients.
Experienced trainers: Dog trainers with more experience and an established clientele can earn between 1,500 and 3,000 euros per month or more. Reputation and recommendations from previous clients can also influence their earnings.
Specialized trainers: Those who specialize in areas such as service dog training, therapy dogs, or advanced training can charge higher rates and therefore earn more.
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