Be safe, be responsible

Did you know because I have been Skydiving once, I can teach you how to Skydive. Did you know because I have been on a First Aid Course I am now a Paramedic? Did you know because I did a Fire Warden Course I am now a Firefighter..... Sounds ridiculous doesn't it. If you agree keep reading. 
I went into Dog Training to help Dogs, to help families and to prevent Dogs being put to sleep. What I am up against. People who claim to be Dog Trainers after watching Victoria Stillwell and Ceaser Milan. How dangerous is this. When you stop to think about it logically, it is really really dangerous. On all reality TV (really bad example) but the Splash. They tell you not to try this at home. So do these two Dog Training programs. Why? Not because they do not want you to have fun, but for your safety and those around you. People seem to think they can post for advice to Facebook on Pet Selling Sites and don't seem to think maybe I should actually contact a Qualified Certified Insured Dog Trainer with recommendations (not necessarily me any Dog Trainer as this is a global issue). Then you have people left, right and centre handing out really really cringing advice. If people want to help, they should direct them to a Dog Trainer. If I cut my thumb off whilst cooking, I am not about to post it to Facebook to ask if I should attempt to sow it back on myself. Yes it really is just like that. One Dog I have been to has high aggression issues, he is very nervous aggressive and thinks he also owns the house and anybody who comes into it, this can literally be strangers. Said persons Cousin said "Oh, get a muzzle, worked wonders for our Dog." Problem = 2 entirely different breeds of Dogs, temperements and backgrounds. If this person had gone to purchase a Muzzle and backed the Dog into a corner, I believe truly this would have been his second victim requiring stitches. 
The other comment I hear alot is and this has happened more than I can count on my hand. "I am a German Shepherd Dog Trainer" Me; ?????
If you are a Dog Trainer, you can train any breed of Dog, you do not select a breed of Dog to work with as you will be out of work! We do not read a book on the German Shepherd to become a Dog Trainer. And yes that is literally what I have been told by a few people. 
You can also not train any 2 dogs in the same way. There are so many factors to consider when training a Dog, as well as doing a mental Risk Assesment in your head constantly, especially if the Dog has a known Aggression history be it to other Dogs or Humans. 
We have to be qualified, we have to keep paying alot of money to keep up to date on courses (just like Teachers) to keep up with the current studies and findings. We have to be insured. We have to register our Profession with the Tax Man and our choice of a Registered Body, so we are held accountable. We have to show and prove ourselves that we can actually train Dogs. Something else I have found amongst Dog Training friends as well is that we do not bowl up to a random person with a Dog and introduce ourselves as a Dog Trainer, we are normal people in a job the same as anybody else, it is not a Status symbol. 
If you have issues with your Dog (such as aggression) the Dog Warden comes round and you say "Oh its OK I'm a Dog Trainer" she will check you out, she will want to see your credentials and your proof of employment, then she will also ask why as a Trainer you have an out of control Dog. 
It is so, so dangerous to hand out bad advice, claim a title that you haven't actually got, not just for the Dog, but for the person or the child or the animal the Dog hurts. This is not to be condescending or rude, but I am scared for people and their Dogs, I am scared more Dogs will wrongly be PTS. I am scared more people will end up bitten and terrified of Dogs and scared that more Dogs will become a statistic as aggressive or badly house trained or hard to Socialise, as this is not a fair view of any Dog or their breed.
Enjoy Training, appreciate Training, Respect Training and have safe fun and a happy bond with your Dog :)

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