It makes me laugh and it also frustrates me when I talk with clients that tell me the last trainer (or last 2, 3 or 4 trainers!) wouldn't even take the leash. Some of my clients have been straight up refused training from some trainers.
The name of the game is dog training. How can you call yourself a trainer, let alone, tell other people you are and take their money but won't pick up the leash? That's not right.
Now, within the world of dogs and the training industry, there's lots of different breeds, sizes, genetics, histories, personalities and so on. There's also lots of different things to do! Obedience, agility, scent work, bite work, lure coursing, dock diving- the list is LONG! The point in all this is, if you are going to offer a service, you had BETTER be capable of delivering on it. Otherwise it's fraud... Straight up.
And I get it, no body wants to get bit. I don't want to get bit. It sucks! However the sky is blue, grass is green... You're gonna get bit at some point, no matter how careful you are nad how good your leash handling is. I learned, sometimes, the dog is just quicker than you and that's all it takes. Getting bit or the possibility, is a hazard of the job that won't ever go away as long as dogs have teeth. That said, you had better have the experience and skills to know how to handle those dogs when shit hits the fan. Otherwise it won't be good for you and it won't be good for the dog.
For the dog owners reading this and are looking for a dog trainer, if the trainer you're meeting with is unwilling to take the leash and is charging people money for training services, this should immediately raise a red flag and questions about their ability.
When clients come to me and I hear that other trainers wouldn't take the leash or they've been refused, that tells me that they are inexperienced, lacking skill and they are afraid of the dog. If they had the experience, they would would have the skill and they wouldn't be afraid. So while I don't want to get bit and do everything I reasonably can to not, I am prepared to deal with it and I'm not afraid if and when it happens because of my experience, skill and knowledge.
People who are used to only dealing with certain breeds or specific types of dogs need to recognize that and they should only work with the dogs they have the skills to help or stop training entirely. There's nothing wrong with someone who does really great work with puppy training and offers that. I would not recommend that they start working with adult dogs, especially larger breeds with severe and dangerous behaviour issues without first going and learning from someone else who has the experience to guide them. That definitely puts themselves and the dog in harms way.
This isn't exclusive to pet dogs and common behavioural issues like aggression and reactivity.
Do you know why I don't offer training for agility? Or protection? Or Scent work? Or why I don't breed?
Because I don't have the experience, skills and resume in that area to offer that to people!
If I did, it would be dishonest and it puts the dog, owner, myself and general public at risk!
I offer and can deliver on training what I know, what I have real, earned experience with and what I know I'm capable of.
Owners: Do the homework and find a trainer who has the skills and resume that is best suited to help your dog.
Trainers: Know yourself and be honest.
"Know thyself means this, that you get acquainted with what you know, and what you can do." - Menander, Ancient Greek Playwright
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