I get asked this question a lot, and it always surprises me. Any time we invest in our dogs, ourselves, or our kids, we will get results. I think people hesitate to train their dogs, because on some level they know they have to stay on top of the dog. Training is a lengthy process and there are no short cuts. Hiring a trainer makes an owner’s life easier because the trainer does the heavy lifting. However, the owner still has to parent the dog. This is where the hesitation lies. The owner is asking himself, “Will I stay on top of things?” “Why spend the money if I’m not going to keep up with it.”
The better question to ask is, “What is going to improve in my life if I get this dog trained?” Think in terms of time saved, more freedom, less frustration and much more peace of mind. When you are in the driver’s seat with your dog and you know exactly what to do, that’s empowering! The easiest way to train your dog is to get help from a professional. The hardest part of that is your follow through. I teach owners how to get results with their dogs, BUT its up to the owner to establish leadership and enforce boundaries. Owners have to provide structure and guidance, and must be present for the dog. If a dog is left to its own devices, expect problems. The bottom line is that you must be present for your dog.