Training Services: Standards and Responsibilities
Staff standard for balanced training and trainer responsibilities: session planning, client conversations, and group class spacing.
Purpose
This SOP sets the standard every trainer works to at Partners Dog Training, on the floor and with clients. It also defines the two terms we use for behavior we correct: inappropriate and disobedient.
Our Training Approach
- We work as balanced trainers: we lean heavily on positive reinforcement, and we also correct inappropriate or disobedient behavior.
- Inappropriate behavior means things like lunging, barking, or chewing.
- Disobedient behavior means the dog already knows a cue and is choosing not to follow through.
- Every training session is planned ahead of time and run toward a specific goal for that dog.
Standards and Responsibilities
- Watch the climate and the dog's behavior, and adjust the day's training schedule accordingly.
- Put in the time a session actually needs; do not cut a session short to move faster through the day.
- Make the client and their dog the first priority during any conversation. Do not rush them, make sure they understand the training and recommendations, and encourage questions.
- Tell the client what their dog needs; do not just leave it as a suggestion. They are paying for direction.
- Keep the training environment safe enough for a dog to learn in, and stay patient and productive through every session.
- Keep the environment collaborative among trainers too; you should feel comfortable discussing a dog's training plan with a fellow trainer.
- In group classes, keep enough space between dogs that they cannot make contact with one another during training.
Working With Clients
A client's first session sets the tone for the whole relationship. Slow down, answer the subject-related questions they ask, and be direct about what their dog needs rather than leaving it open-ended. That directness is part of the standard, not an add-on to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for deciding how much correction versus positive reinforcement a session uses?
The trainer running the session, using our balanced approach: lean heavily on positive reinforcement, and correct inappropriate or disobedient behavior as needed.
What counts as disobedient versus inappropriate behavior?
Inappropriate behavior is something like lunging, barking, or chewing. Disobedient behavior is different: the dog already knows a cue and is refusing to follow through on it.
Should I just suggest a protocol to a client, or tell them what to do?
Tell them. Clients are paying for direction, and leaving a protocol as a loose suggestion does not meet the standard.
Who to Ask
Bring questions about a specific dog's training plan to a fellow trainer or a manager; you should feel comfortable discussing it together. The card system and equipment rules that govern a session are covered in Training Services: Training Procedures, and camp and lesson program structure is covered in Training Services: Training Programs.