Choosing the Right Dog Training: Why Local Expertise Beats a Corporate Model

At All Around Adventures, we’ve been proudly serving our community for over seven years, providing top-notch dog walking and pet care services, we even won Best Petcare Company last year (they got rid of our category though😭!) We know that finding the right training for your dog is just as crucial as their daily care. That’s why I wanted to raise a little awareness about the different types of dog training out there! A few companies in town are corporate, such as PetSmart, PetCo and OffLeash Canine and then you have a number of local dog trainers and locally owned businesses such as Diverse Dog Training and Victory Road Dog Training. Finding the right fit for you and your dog is crucial.. here are a few of my tips and advice after working for a corporate dog training company (PetSmart) and a local company (Diverse Dog Training) I have a few thoughts about what route you should take (Spoiler.. always go local🐶)!

Personalized Training Tailored to Your Dog

With a corporate company you are getting a very cookie cutter model of how they can train (I used to be a trainer for PetSmart so I am not judging without knowledge I promise!) These trainers have booklets, pamphlets and bullet points on what to do at each session, how long to last and very limited resources on how they can help if it doesn't align with the big man on top. A corporate dog trainer is a trainer that has been hired by a third party company, trained anywhere from 1 week to 2 months by someone local, or online (generally) and they are usually inside pet stores or they are a franchise. If a company says their trainers have thousands of hours of training - think about how board and trains are 24 hours and they count every hour of that towards them getting those hours.

A locally owned business is one that is usually run and operated by the dog trainer you meet and work with. They have years of hands on experience, probably a few certificates and continue their knowledge daily because this is not only a business but their passion. I know first hand (because I also worked for a locally owned business) with Diverse Dog Training, you’re working directly with Cody, a seasoned trainer who’s spent over 10 years perfecting his craft, he became certified in a dog training school and is constantly learning and adjusting what works for each dog. SO, again, unlike corporate board-and-train programs that rely on standardized, one-size-fits-all methods, Cody designs training plans that fit your dog’s unique personality and your specific goals. Whether it’s mastering basic obedience, improving leash manners, or tackling more challenging behaviors, Cody’s hands-on approach ensures your dog gets individualized attention. Most locally owned business will try and work with your dogs strengths and finding the right trainer for you is as important as the right one for your dog. There is the All Positive training world, treats first... and second and usually third, discipline is soft but redirection is the key. Or the Balanced training world uses treats to train, discipline when necessary and praise when it works best. Depending on how you feel and what your dog needs will depend which route you take.

Transparency You Can Count On

One major concern with corporate board-and-train programs is the lack of visibility into where your dog is staying. Often, these programs don’t allow you to see the trainer’s home or facility, leaving you wondering about your dog’s environment, care, and daily routine. Red Flag number 1: if you do not drop and pick up your dog at the training facility. All trainers that train your dog when you are not around should be transparent about the living situation, training environment and overall care of your pet. Some trainers meet you in a park, you drop off your dog and they take them to their home. Watch out for this, i know your dogs are your family and you wouldn't drop your kid off with a stranger in a park to go to their daycare.

Rooted in Our Community

At All Around Adventures it's no secret that we’re all about supporting local businesses that share our commitment to trust, care, and community. Picking a local dog trainer instead of a big corporate company or a franchise will always be our advice.

Red Flags to Avoid

When it comes to choosing a trainer a few ways I would weed out the good from the bad:

1. if you are dropping off for board and train, make sure you drop off at trainers location where your pet will be staying.

2. A great trainer will offer advice over the phone not make you wait for your first session. They value helping the customer over the dollar amount (although they have to pay their bills too, so don't take advantage of their generosity). They don't force you into purchasing more sessions than is necessary and if you don't see results after the first training session (or first purchased package of 3-6) then you might want to go a different route. Unless you enjoy going to a trainer on a regular basis, more than 6 sessions are rarely ever needed if you stick to your trainers advice and training plan. Again, if you do everything they tell you, stick to the plan and practice regularly and you do not see any changes or results, probably best to find a new trainer.

3. When contacting a dog trainer they will not spam you with calls, texts and emails. They understand there are options out there and will understand that. If you receive calls, texts and emails that seem excessive, or even just more than 1 follow up, you are most likely dealing with a corporate company, a franchise or a dog trainer that might not be the right fit.

4. Lastly, if a trainer guarantees they can help your dog over the phone before meeting you and your pet, find a new one. A great dog trainer that has years of experience has seen first hand that sometimes certain environments don't allow a dog to be "fixed" and if they haven't met you and your pet they cant make any guarantees. So, if they guarantee they can fix your dogs problem behavior, they are lying or they don't have the real world experience to understand that's not always the case. Remember, dog training is more about training you to be consistent with your pet and less about your dog learning to be consistent with you.

   
   

Ready to set your dog up for success? At All Around Adventures we first and foremost recommend Diverse Dog Training. SO, give Cody a call today to schedule a consultation. And for all your pet care needs—dog walking, cat sitting, or drop-in visits—trust All Around Adventures to keep your pets happy and healthy. Let’s work together to give your pet the best care and training possible!