What do you do if there are no trainers in your area?

[RubenZ]

I searched for a trainer near my city (Edinburg,Tx) and wasnt able to find one within 50-75 miles of me. Unless I'm looking correctly, I've tried the yellow pages and Internet.


We do have a petsmart nearby but the last time I was there I wasnt too sure about the trainer. Maybe I'll go and sit in a class to see her procedure before signing up. If they allow that.


Any other recommendations. I'm probably more interested in the simple stuff like obedience, nothing fancy like agility etc.

[diddybopper04]

Ruben, go to the AKC website, http://www.akc.org and look up the clubs in your area. Once you contact a club, they can put you in touch with people who train/show that may be a bit closer to you in your area.

I have driven 50 miles to training class before. No picnic, but I did it.

[Judi W]

And also, ask your vet and people you meet who give the appearance that they own trained dogs. Training clubs are not listed in the yellow pages or phone book as they are non-profit voluntary organizatons, not business.

[HerculesMomma]

I found this training facility near home simply by word of mouth. It's tucked off the road some, so not easy to see from a main intersection. I did not notice them in the phone book either. I'm finding word of mouth seems to be utilized more than I would have ever thought. So it's good advice to ask around etc. You may even find that a trainer at petsmart (which would be better than nothing in my opinion) actually trains at another facility etc. I found this to be the case with one instructor I had at one facility - she also trained at another facility (that again, was not listed in the phone book as a dog training school, just as a kennel) and it was real close to home.

So ask around to anyone and everyone you know that has a dog and maybe you'll find something that way too.

[SABELLESMOM]

Apparently, we have 3 different kennel clubs, within 5-50 minutes away and 2-3 more an hour away. I knew of none of them thru the phone book. In fact I found the one 50 minutes away thru a friend...the one 5 minutes away found ME!

Strange, isn't it? Ask a vet, go online, do a search, check the paper. We have a monthly "pet section" in our paper. I've found some trainers and instructors there, right next to the dogs available at (a, B or C) shelter ads.


In fact, you might call and ask a shelter employee or vet tech. Many times they know of things going on that aren't published and advertised. Also, if you ever hear of a dog show...go! One kennel club or another will assuredly be sponsoring the meet. Many times they team up. Kennel clubs usually have some form of instruction to offer.