06/06/2026
A word about Dog Training
Unlike operating a daycare or kennel, or a rescue/shelter, dog training isn’t a licensed profession— there’s no state board, there’s no formal education requirements. There isn’t even a minimum standard someone must meet before they start charging money and calling themselves a trainer. You can’t assume competence just because someone has a professional-looking website and you can’t even 100% trust the reviews on Google anymore.
So, how do you know who to choose?!?
Things to look for when searching for a trainer for your pet:
-a competent trainer will focus on environmental management, emotional wellbeing with individualized plans to prioritize positive reinforcement, skill development, and reinforcing appropriate behavior.
-look for certification from an independent, third party organizations that *requires* hands-on experience, continuing education, and a psychometrically valid exam. A popular example is the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, which offers both CPDT-KA and CPDT-KSA designations). The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Pet Professional Accreditation Board also offer credentials independent of a specific course of study.
-attend a session to watch them with a hands-on demonstration; a video could work too, but in either case, watch closely how the dog reacts.
•Dogs should be relaxed and engaged - not tense and on-edge. You’re specifically looking for loose body language with active engagement while the dog is thinking rather than just blindly obeying.
• what is the trainer’s timing and process like? Are they setting the dog up to succeed or only correcting when there is a mistake made? How does the trainer handle it when the dog struggles? A good trainer will adjust the environment or break the task up into simpler steps. Even in a short session you should see progress - even if it’s small, and the dog should choose to stay engaged with the trainer even after the formal lesson has ended.
-check references! Ask your vet, groomer, or past clients about their experiences
Here at Sunflower Pet, we do not currently have a certified trainer on staff… but if you’re looking for a trainer, we confidently recommend Journey Bound K9 and Havoc to Halo Dog Training LLC