Dogs and owners need right training

As Atlanta’s love affair with dogs grows, so do the problems. I recently attended the yearly Association for Pet Dog Trainers conference and everyone who saw my Atlanta name tag had something to say about Atlanta and Michael Vick. Not what I want people to think about our great city.

Recently, many in the city have been shocked to learn about allegations of abuse and mistreatment at the Fulton County Animal Shelter, whose director resigned amid reports that pit bulls were caged with other dogs.

Few dog owners realize that within the professional dog community there is a varying degree of what is considered acceptable training and treatment of animals. Dog owners should aggressively seek out treatment guidelines, professional affiliations and certifications of everyone who comes in contact with their pet, just as parents do their due diligence on the qualifications of a potential child care provider. Owners should ask how the dog professional would deal with their specific situation to ensure that their practices are in line with an owner’s values. Owners should also ask themselves one basic question: Does this sound too good to be true?

Responsible pet ownership goes far beyond annual veterinarian visits and feeding. Owners should try to be more proactive with their dog and its behavior. All dogs should be able to socialize with other animals, children and adults in public to be considered safe. Working with a qualified dog trainer can give the dog and owner all the guidance needed to enjoy visits to the park and visitors at the home. It can also help with behavior problems such as aggression. Training is critical for dogs who have spent time in rescue homes, shelters or other arenas where the history of the dog is unknown.

There is no governing professional group for becoming a dog trainer even though there are associations such as the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), which offer continuing education updates for their members. It is frightening how many people complete an online course and hang out a shingle selling themselves as “dog trainers.” Just because a company has money and slick marketing, does not mean that it has the knowledge or experience to work with your dog.

Dr. Ian Dunbar, one of the industry’s leading experts in dog behavior and dog training, recommends positive training techniques to deal with all types of training issues from basic commands to aggression. His wife and partner, Kelly Gorman Dunbar, is the founder of Open Paw, a nationally recognized program designed for shelter and rescue groups to prevent and deal with problems associated with rescued dogs, including aggression and fear-related behaviors.

In December, these industry innovators will be in Atlanta training professionals in the dog and animal community on their humane and positive techniques. They will also be working with a local rescue, Atlanta Pet Rescue, to form the state’s first Open Paw shelter.

Now is the time for all of us —- trainers, rescue groups, veterinarians and the public —- to work together to take control of abuse and mistreatment of animals through proactive training, research and awareness.

> Amber Burckhalter is a certified master trainer and the owner of K-9 Coach.