What Trainers Who Changed Their Methods Can Teach Dog Owners

1. Understand what the research actually found

Psychologist and trainer Zazie Todd’s Psychology Today report highlights empathy and education as reasons trainers reconsidered their methods.

The underlying study, published in February 2026, examined interviews with 35 U.S. trainers recruited through professional directories. It compared reward-based practitioners with those using a mixture of rewards and aversive methods. Trainers who moved away from aversives described reconsidering dogs’ experiences and learning about alternative approaches. Across groups, participants valued positive reinforcement and owner education, although they differed over evidence and acceptable methods.

This was research into trainers’ perspectives, not an experiment comparing dogs’ results. It cannot establish how quickly the wider profession is changing or promise a particular outcome for your pet. Its practical value is showing why a trainer’s willingness to explain, learn, and adapt deserves attention. Read the original study.

2. Ask for a concrete training plan

Before paying, describe one ordinary challenge, such as jumping when visitors arrive. Ask the trainer what they would teach your dog to do, how they would reward it, and what they would change if the exercise proved too difficult.

Then ask directly about equipment and corrections: Will they use leash jerks, prong collars, shock collars, or intimidation? Will they show you how to practise between appointments? What education informs their approach? Request a demonstration or an opportunity to observe a class before committing to a package.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based methods for dog training and advises against aversive methods. That provides a clear benchmark when comparing proposals. See its humane training statement.

Look for answers you can picture carrying out at home. A useful plan identifies a teachable skill, explains the reward, and gives you a manageable starting point. Treat promises of instant obedience as a reason to ask more questions.

3. Make the desired behavior easy to recognize

Choose one observable action for your next practice session. “Be good when I’m busy” leaves too much undefined. “Rest on this mat while I sit nearby” gives you something specific to notice and reward.

Start by identifying something your dog enjoys, such as an appropriate food reward or a favorite toy. Dogs Trust advises rewarding each successful attempt when teaching a new skill. It also explains that a marker word can identify the exact moment the dog succeeds; the marker should always be followed by the promised reward. Read its reward-training guide.

For example, you could begin a mat exercise by rewarding a step onto the mat before expecting a longer stay. Practise the easiest version first, then add difficulty gradually. If you keep missing opportunities to reward, simplify the task rather than repeating the instruction more loudly.

Reward selection matters, too. A toy your dog ignores is unlikely to be useful in that moment. Watch what your dog willingly engages with instead of assuming every dog values the same prize.

4. Turn observation into your next adjustment

Keep a brief practice note: what you asked for, where you practised, which reward you offered, and what happened. “Responded in the kitchen, struggled by the front door” gives a trainer more useful information than “being stubborn.”

Choose a small goal for the week and compare attempts in similar settings. Avoid treating a crowded outing as the final examination for a skill just introduced at home. Ask your trainer how to bridge that gap with intermediate steps.

You can also make room for enjoyable activities without turning everything into an obedience test. Dogs Trust lists play and foraging among activities dogs may find rewarding. Let your dog’s preferences help shape practice. The aim is a routine you can repeat consistently, with clear feedback for both of you.