So, you've got yourself a dog, congrats! Training him should now be your main concern – unless you've managed to snag a pet that's already obedience trained and behaving beautifully your new pet will require training and in teaching him commands and acceptable behaviors the bond between you and your dog will grow. Unless you have plenty of experience with dogs, you are probably considering hiring a trainer – believe me, there's many perks to this...but what questions do you need to ask yourself when looking for one? Don't just flip open the yellow pages and call the first number you see – every dog trainer is different, but there are some basic rules of thumb when searching for one that's right for you.

Get recommendations! Toss that yellow pages aside, and contact your local shelter, breeder, or vet to find out what reputable trainers there are out there. Word of mouth can be the best way to find who you're looking for.

Ask questions! When you get a recommendation and find yourself on the phone with a trainer don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem silly to you [there's no such thing as a dumb question, and believe me, they've heard them all!] Here's some examples of things you might be wondering:

What are your credentials? Your trainer should have them, whether they are certified by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors or have attended seminars on dog behavior and taken classes with a dog training school.

How long have you been a dog trainer?

Do you have references?

What do you normally charge?

What affiliations do you have with organizations and training clubs?

Why did you become a dog trainer?

Find out where the training will take place...Will the trainer be coming to you? Do they have an on-site facility you will be bringing your dog to? If so, visit it beforehand! Watch how the trainer interacts with other dogs...do they use positive reinforcement? A good dog trainer is concerned about the dogs welfare and shouldn't use overly aggressive “boot camp” tactics to train your new pet.

Keep in mind, a good trainer will outline their plan for you and your pet. They will provide a clear idea of what will go on in each session, and what they hope to accomplish. They will be courteous to you AND your pet. Anyone can “pose” as a trainer – like I mentioned always check for references much you like you would when finding a babysitter for your child!