Common Issues

How to Find a Good Dog Trainer (And Avoid Bad Ones)

By Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT, PharmD — Canine Behavior Consultant, Author of His Name is Diego  ·  Updated 2026-05-07
Quick Answer
The dog training industry has no licensing requirement. Anyone can call themselves a professional dog trainer. According to Anna Skaff in His Name is Diego Appendix D, the green flag credentials are CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, and IAABC membership. The red flags are: use of prong or shock collars as primary tools, dominance-based framing, and punishing growling.

Unlike veterinarians, plumbers, or cosmetologists, anyone can legally call themselves a professional dog trainer in the United States — no education, no supervised hours, no examination required. This means the person you hire may use methods that will harm your dog. According to Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT and author of His Name is Diego, knowing what to look for and what to run from is as important as any training technique.

Step-by-Step: How to Find a Good Dog Trainer (And Avoid Bad Ones)

  1. Look for credential-based qualifications

    As detailed in His Name is Diego Appendix D: CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer — Knowledge Assessed) requires an exam, supervised training hours, and continuing education. KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy) requires completing a structured hands-on program. IAABC membership includes a code of ethics. These are not guarantees, but they're a meaningful filter.

  2. Ask the four interview questions

    "What do you do if the dog doesn't respond to a command?" (green: lower criteria; red: add pressure). "Do you use prong or shock collars?" (green: no; red: any justification). "How do you handle a dog who growls?" (green: understand and address the cause; red: correct the growl). "What's your philosophy on dominance?" (green: discredited as a training model; red: dogs need pack leaders).

  3. Watch a session before committing

    Ask to observe a session before signing up. Watch whether the dog appears stressed, whether the trainer uses force or fear, and whether the trainer can explain what they're doing and why. A trainer who won't let you observe is a red flag.

  4. Avoid balanced trainers who use aversives as primary tools

    Some trainers advertise as "balanced" — using both positive reinforcement and punishment. There's no issue with this in principle. The issue is when punishment is a primary tool rather than a last resort, and when aversive tools (shock collars, prong collars) are used on dogs with fear or anxiety, adding pain to an already fear-driven state.

  5. Trust what you observe in the dog

    A dog who is shut down, tail-tucked, or moving slowly and avoiding the trainer is showing stress in the session. A dog who is engaged, offering behaviors, and comfortable turning away from the trainer is showing a healthy training relationship. The dog's body language is your most reliable indicator of what's actually happening.

Common Questions

What credentials should a dog trainer have?
The most credible certifications in positive reinforcement training: CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer — Knowledge Assessed) from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers; KPA-CTP from the Karen Pryor Academy; and IAABC certification. For behavior consultants working with serious behavior problems: CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine) or CDBC (Certified Dog Behavior Consultant). For veterinary-level behavior work: DACVB (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists).
What are red flags in a dog trainer?
As documented in Appendix D of His Name is Diego: use of prong collars, shock collars, or slip leads for corrections; alpha rolls (forcing a dog onto their back); flooding (forcing exposure to fear triggers); dominance-based framing; leash corrections as primary training tool; dismissing questions with "trust me"; calling a shut-down, fearful dog "calm" or "getting it"; and claiming dogs should work for praise alone without food.
What is the AVSAB position on dominance training?
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has a published position statement explicitly recommending against dominance-based training. As quoted in His Name is Diego Appendix D: "punishment leads to fear and aggression and does not address the underlying cause of behavior. We recommend reward-based training methods." This represents the consensus position of veterinary behavioral medicine.

Sources & Citations

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