In general, avoid any trainer who uses any type of negative reinforcement such as yelling, hitting, isolating or jerking the leash. Using food as a positive reward is the most respected and effective form of training. Beware of any trainer who forbids food in training.

People who guarantee their work. Qualified behaviorists and trainers will always do their best for you, but cannot guarantee outcomes, because animals have minds of their own, and can never be completely controlled by humans.

If their recommendations involve choking, hitting or slapping your pet, confinement or isolation, this indicates little or no understanding of animal behavior.

People who misrepresent their qualifications. People who call themselves animal behaviorists, even though they're not academically trained in animal behavior.

People who want to train your pet for you. Most behavior problems are a result of interactions between the animal, the care giver and the environment. Giving your pet to someone else to "fix" the problem is rarely successful because these three elements aren't addressed. Owners need to work with the animal in the home environment.

http://www.sspca.org/Dogs_FindATrainer.html

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Aug. 26, 2005