[AngelBunny]

As with many things in life, not all trainers are created equal. It's easy to call yourself a trainer and hang out a shingle, so you being a discriminating student is important.

Ideally, you want the trainer to have experience training working breeds. You want the trainer to use positive reinforcement. You should be able to audit a class. Classes shouldn't be too big. The beginner class should look orderly to you if the class is a couple of weeks along in its session. People and their dogs should look happy. The instructor should demonstrate flexibility in training methods, understanding that one training method doesn't fit everyone.

Ask the trainer about his or her credentials and what titles the person has put on his or her dogs.

As far as what certs the trainer should have to his or her name, I really can't answer that--perhaps other RDNers can. I'm interested in obed, drafting, herding, and tracking, so what's important to me is the level to which the instructor has taken his or her dogs in these venues and what titles the instructor has earned with his or her dogs.

Good luck. Dog training is alot of fun and is such a good thing to do with your dog!