Did you know...... Anyone can call themselves a "dog trainer, dog behaviorist, dog psychologist, dog obedience instructor, or dog whisperer", and absolutely NO special training, certification, licensing, or degrees are required by law? This means any person, at any time, anywhere, with any level of knowledge or experience, can start a dog training business, charging trusting dog parents $50, $80, or $100+ an hour! All without any guarantee that the parent is receiving humane, responsible, educated, scientifically-valid advice and services.   There are many, many dog trainer "certifications" available to people who pay money and take a course or enroll in a school. Some of these certifications are more respectable than others. But the bottom line is, anyone can open a school and start "certifying dog trainers".   A certification is only as good as the organization or school that did the certifying. There are no government licenses in place for dog trainers. There are no nationally recognized or enforceable standards of practice for dog trainers. This means that dog trainers can do just about anything to your dog and call it "training", and likely get away with it, even if they hurt your dog physically or psychologically! Before you hire a dog trainer, do your research. Ask for certifications and other qualifications, and then research those things.   Ask for references and then call them!  Remember that you are hiring someone who is a member of a profession where 'anything goes' - so be cautious!  If a trainer tells you they use a particular tool or technique, do some digging - the Internet is a wonderful place to gather information and will help you make informed decisions.   Your dog trusts you - he relies on you to protect him and keep him safe from harm. You owe it to your dog to choose the best trainer possible. This is a person that will address the problems you seek help for and offer solutions that help - not hurt - your best friend or your relationship with him.