dog trainer questions

Question
Hi
Can you give me a list of questions a dog trainer should ask me when I want a consultation. This is to help me know what I should be looking for in a good dog trainer.

Answer
Hi Natalie;
I never asked my clients any questions except for information about a particular problem, if they had mentioned there was one.
I would have more quesions of a trainer, rather than them asking me questions.
I would want to know what method of reward they use ( I DO NOT use food as a reward, only praise), and what method they use for punishment ( I NEVER hit!!!, I scold, and don't give the dog the inmpression they have a choice but to obey). For extreme punishment, I use time=out, for my own dogs. This has never come up in a training class.
In training, I control with the leash, and with my voice.
I have an authority over animals. The seem to know I will not put up with foolishness, and that they can trust me.
If your dog goes into the trainer's hands willingly, that is your best indication the dog will mind their commands.
I give a lot of praise and petting, and telling them how smart they are.
If you can observe the trainers in a class, that would help you.
Petsmart and Petco's classes, you can observe a coule of times before you enroll your dog.
They hold group classes, and I much prefer teaching this way.
It forms a closer bond with the animal and their owner, and the owner learns to give the commands the proper way, and I teach the owners how to have authority over their dog.
YOU have to be the alpha in the family.
If a trainer was not willing to let me watch, if it is a one on one class, I wouldn't use them.
Where my children and animals are concerned, I am VERY porotective, and will NOT leave them with someone I don't know for sure I can trust.
Charlotte