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Sketchy trainers are easy to spot.

The ones with flashy Instagram videos, 20 years of experience, and online courses?

Not so much.

Here's what I wish I knew before spending thousands on training.

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There’s levels to trainers.

Some can train great family pets. Others can produce robust protection dogs.

After spending over $5,000 in private lessons with Aki, the biggest thing I've learned is this.

Your dog's job determines your trainer.

Not the other way around.

Think of it like classing your character in an RPG.

Select your dog's job & specialty

Once you've selected your dog's job and specialty, you'll know exactly what type of trainer to look for.

But how do you know if they can actually deliver?

Evaluate the trainer objectively

Ask to meet their demo dogs or dogs they've trained during your first in-person consultation.

If you can’t meet their dogs, here’s what to keep an eye out for:

🚩 Flashy social media content. Viral videos don't equal qualified training.

🚩 Years of experience. 20 years of doing the wrong thing is still wrong.

⚠️ Behaviorist-type certifications. C's get degrees.

✅ Sport and working titles. Earned through skill, not a credit card.

But not everyone gets to learn under world champions.

I selected my trainer Rob Kirkwood from Progressive K9 because of his PSA titles and protection sport background.

Exactly what I needed for Aki's protection training.

During our first consultation, he was upfront.

Aki would need to pass a drive test to evaluate whether he had the right genetics and temperament to be a personal protection dog.

That said, passing a drive test doesn't guarantee they won't wash out later.

Next week, I'll break down how much it actually costs to train a Malinois, from private lessons to board & train programs.

TL;DR: Select your dog's job and speciality first. Then evaluate trainers by their sport and working titles, not years of experience or certifications. The right trainer screens your dog before taking your money.

Tail End

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Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam