[PitBullBeauty]

Here in southwest AZ, by far the most common dog in shelters is the pit bull terrier. It's really sad! People out here either love pit bulls or they hate them, but apparently there aren't enough pit bull terrier lovers to make the percentage of pit bull shelter dogs dwindle. I've worked with dogs since high school, I've studied multiple different dog trainers, I have my own pet sitting business, and I'm working towards my goal of becoming a dog trainer.

Specifically, I want to be able to get paid to use my training skills to help get more dogs out of shelters. The plight of pit bull terrier overpopulation in shelters is a strong motivating factor, for sure! I've been an animal shelter/rescue volunteer for several years, so I have a good idea of the reasons why dogs end up in rescue and why so many people don't want rescue dogs.

Do you have any suggestions for how I can reach my dog training career goal?

Here's the kicker: The world of dog training is a world full of debate. Everybody has their own ideas about the way things ought to be done, and there is more than one way to train a dog. I personally would consider myself a novice, balanced dog trainer. Most of the trainers out here are positive reinforcement only. I don't have anything against positive reinforcement only trainers, but given my experience thus far of finding out what works and what doesn't work, I couldn't feel good about working for a positive reinforcement only mentor or getting certified from a school that would require me to teach their positive reinforcement only curriculum.

I'm not here to debate training methods. I'm here to ask if there's anybody here that prefers a balanced approach (positive reinforcement and humane correction when necessary) and if anybody can advise me about how to reach my dog training career goal given my circumstances.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

 

[EckoMac]

Balanced is better IMO as well. Bulls can be stubborn and positive only isn't going to work. My best suggestion would be to read through everything here. You'll learn more than you ever though possible bull breeds and they're differences. The knowledge here will put you above anything your local trainers think they know about bulls. Always remember, you can't train away genetics, and not all broken dogs can be "fixed". Know your limits and accept it when the most humane option is to put the dog to sleep. You don't need a fancy certificate to be a dog trainer. You just need word of mouth and successful outcomes more often than not.

 

[2DogTrix]

Here in southwest AZ, by far the most common dog in shelters is the pit bull terrier. It's really sad! People out here either love pit bulls or they hate them, but apparently there aren't enough pit bull terrier lovers to make the percentage of pit bull shelter dogs dwindle. I've worked with dogs since high school, I've studied multiple different dog trainers, I have my own pet sitting business, and I'm working towards my goal of becoming a dog trainer.

Specifically, I want to be able to get paid to use my training skills to help get more dogs out of shelters. The plight of pit bull terrier overpopulation in shelters is a strong motivating factor, for sure! I've been an animal shelter/rescue volunteer for several years, so I have a good idea of the reasons why dogs end up in rescue and why so many people don't want rescue dogs.

Do you have any suggestions for how I can reach my dog training career goal?

Here's the kicker: The world of dog training is a world full of debate. Everybody has their own ideas about the way things ought to be done, and there is more than one way to train a dog. I personally would consider myself a novice, balanced dog trainer. Most of the trainers out here are positive reinforcement only. I don't have anything against positive reinforcement only trainers, but given my experience thus far of finding out what works and what doesn't work, I couldn't feel good about working for a positive reinforcement only mentor or getting certified from a school that would require me to teach their positive reinforcement only curriculum.

I'm not here to debate training methods. I'm here to ask if there's anybody here that prefers a balanced approach (positive reinforcement and humane correction when necessary) and if anybody can advise me about how to reach my dog training career goal given my circumstances.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

Good luck! He does some remote coaching so it might work for you in AZ (though not in terms of getting hands on) but my favorite mentor in the balanced community is Jay Jack. Not sure if you've checked him out yet. Like all, he is not perfect, but he has a clear way of putting things. His company is Next Level Dogs in Maine. And if you look into GRC Dogsport Discussion Group on Facebook you might be able to ask if there is someone in your part of AZ that follows him and that you could connect with. I met my favorite trainer here in CO at a GRC club, so who knows! Again, good luck!

 

[PitBullBeauty]

Good luck! He does some remote coaching so it might work for you in AZ (though not in terms of getting hands on) but my favorite mentor in the balanced community is Jay Jack. Not sure if you've checked him out yet. Like all, he is not perfect, but he has a clear way of putting things. His company is Next Level Dogs in Maine. And if you look into GRC Dogsport Discussion Group on Facebook you might be able to ask if there is someone in your part of AZ that follows him and that you could connect with. I met my favorite trainer here in CO at a GRC club, so who knows! Again, good luck!

Thank you! I haven't heard of Jay Jack. I will check him out.