Sadly anyone can be a trainer. There are no requirements or certifications.
I've seen some people that call themselves trainers that I would not let near my dog...yet they are making part of their income doing this.
I've been training my dogs for years...and doing basic obedience with many boarding dogs...but I don't call myself a trainer...just good with dogs.
Before I take a class with anyone that calls themselves a trainer...I want to know what they have done. What they have done with their own dogs, what obedience titles they have gotten on their own dogs...what type of classes do they teach,etc.
I think a "dog handler" is a dog that works with their own dogs...dogs that are used for S&R or detection or drug use...a dog trainer is someone that teaches the owner how to teach their dog.
Gina