How do we alert people to terrible dog trainers?

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A friend of mine is picking up their new Italian Spinone puppy tomorrow, and is very much looking forward to it. They already have a 7 year old Spinone who I was involved in training when he was a puppy and going into adulthood. This dog has been brilliant and trustworthy over the years, which is so rewarding to hear. I then moved away from the area two years ago.

My friend contacted me the other day to say that they were going to take their new puppy to classes with a certain trainer, who advertises locally and when I lived in the area, I had heard from several people about his dubious and punitive training methods. I advised my friend not to take the new puppy there, because of what I have just said.

Now another friend has told me that somebody they know has recently taken their own dog to this person classes, though they walked out after four sessions. This was after the 'trainer' spent the lesson swigging from a bottle of whiskey. As if this wasn't bad enough, when a dog wouldn't walk properly on the lead, he then proceeded to swing this poor dog around by it's lead. I'm sure that this dog is going to learn a lot from this - not! Well it may, but nothing positive.

Now my question is, how on earth can the general public be warned about people like this, without the risk of litigation against them? I cannot even begin to imagine the damage that this man has done to dogs over the years, but he he is still performing his method of training, and getting away with it.

Regards Jan

I'm not too sure about how to stop people from seeing him because he is, after all, a trainer (I hope he is licensed). And I don't think anybody has any right to stop the ads as well. Unless somebody files a complaint about how he trains and managed the dogs. Keep in mind that there are lots of things that could be dragged into this kind of issue though.

Hi

I have since found out that this trainer is also Kennel Club Approved and on their list. So one wold expect a good quality of service, so to speak. I have contacted the Kennel Club, but because the owner in question is unable to make a complaint herself against this trainer - she has had a nervous breakdown, they are unwilling to even investigate or send somebody to observe this trainer in action.

I feel that I have done all I can, and at least if somebody else files a complaint with the Kennel Club, hopefully this will be on record, and they can reach more conclusions then.

Regards Jan

You would truely think, the Kennel Club would want to find out who they "approve of "
If someone has filed a complant against them, it would be in the club's best interest to know this.

If this is how the "Kennel Club" works, then they do not need my donation, support or even my dogs regestery.

OMGoodness, that is awful - swinging a dog by a lead - I would have gone nuts if anyone did that to any of my dogs........You did what you could RubyRoo, now it needs others to complain as well.......I'm not sure there is anything more that can be done legally. Not sure either what the law would be if someone was too discreetly tape this instructor and put it on youtube..............?? I see all sorts of things on there........

Sadly, there are a lot of people out there who call themselves 'trainers' who do not deserve the title and cause more harm then good. I am not sure which Kennel Club you are reffering to in your post, but I do agree that they should want to follow up if they are 'recommending' this guy

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Hi

thanks for your replies. This is the UK Kennel Club. The lady an elderly owner, is unable to make a complaint against this trainer, as she has cince had a nervous breakdown. Now whether this has been bacause of this episode who knows. I asked the KC whether they could send somebody 'undercover' to observe his training classes, he runs more than one class in the area. I mean it's not bad enough that he mishandles dogs, but also drinking during the class as well. They didn't answer this, but as they have 'Field Officers' who go round dog shows to see what is going on, then I can't see what the problem is.

The Kennel Club also has been calling for a ban on Electric Shock Collars, but hey this 'trainer' uses them, under their approval, it would seem. I just wonder how many dogs have been affected for the worse by his method training, as I have been hearing bad things about him for years. Even though I have now moved nearly 100 miles away, his antics still get my attention.

I guess all you can do is keep telling people about him, but that will be hard if you no longer live in the area. We have a local club that I will never return to cos of the way they train dogs and treat owners..... I have heard even more bad stories recently, but they are still training. However, I have also heard on the grapevine they are getting less and less people returning after their first course so hopefully people are voting with their feet by not going back to him.
As you say though it is a worry about how many dogs and people will be adversely affected and unable to be helped later cos of people like him.

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It's such a shame that with the newer knowledge of reward based/motivational training techniques - which I have been using since mid eightees, that these people are still churning out these harmful and outdated techniques. Problem is that people watch the awful Cesar Milan, and are influenced by these programmes. I had a real go at somebody a few months ago in our village, that started using a pronged collar on their dog because it pulled. They had had this young dog since a puppy, so had ample opertunity to teach it not to pull, and I had also offered to help them. However a real mouthful from me, and this collar was removed, and they actually started using food as a reward, and the dog is a lot better.
As you say hopefully word will get round, as it seems to have with the club you mentioned.

Regards Jan

I think the only way is to educate dog owners to be as careful about trusting a dog trainer as they would be in choosing someone to care for their child! Word of mouth is the best recommendation and a genuine trainer will not mind if you ask for references.

This is always going to be a difficult issue, but I think probably kernow is right that it is the responsibility of the dog owner to check the trainer's credentials and to use their common sense - if it doesn't feel right, it almost certainly isn't.