It seems that the popularity of PPDs has brought many dishonest and/or incompetent trainers to the forefront. The one big problem seems to be that most of us lack knowledge, it makes finding an honest and competent trainer like finding a needle in a haystack!

I have personally been researching the subject for about 4 months now and it can be a frustrating journey. I have read almost every post within "Personal Protection Dog Training" within this discussion forum (not to mention many of the other boards), surfed the internet until the wee hours of the morning, watched many of Ed's DVDs, spoken with or emailed more dog trainers and dog clubs then I care to remember. I wish I had a nickel for every so called "dog trainer" who stated, "have I got the perfect dog for you and your situation"; I would be able to purchase some of the outrageously priced dogs that I have seen advertised on the internet.

If memory serves me, Will Rambeau said something along the lines that there were about 5 or 6 PPD trainers in the US that he knew were great trainers. I am hoping to find at least one of them within a 2 hour drive of my house in northern Virginia.

Any help to make sure that I am headed in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. PM me, send me an email or reply directly to this post.

Thanks,

Jim Davis
xpctrep@myvabb.com

Jim -
With so few reputable trainers capable of actually providing/training an actual PPD, I'd urge you to be willing to expand your search area if you're looking to purchase a PPD.

Listen, if you do this correctly, yeah, you'll likely have to travel a bit. But you and a *good* PPD vendor can iron out a lot over the phone and email and your first trip to the trainer should be to evaluate and decide on a dog. At that point the trainer should be working on training for the specific requests that you have regarding the dog that you picked out.

So there will be a period of time that you'll have to wait for while the trainer finishes the dog to your specifications ( which can take from four weeks to six months, depending on what you request ).

Once the dog is ready, you return and be prepared to stay from two days to a week or so, depending on how much training *you* need to get in synch with your new dog.

You can continue/ freshen up your PPD's training at a reputable dog training club ( which you and your vendor have determined ahead of time ), now here you might luck out and be within a two hour drive.
But maybe not, so determine how often you'll need to do refresher work and where you'll do that at.

The closest reputable PPD trainer that I can recommend first hand to you from your area is in the state of New York. Feel free to PM me if you'd like his name and contact information.

Will,

Thanks, I sent you a PM.

Jim

eek, I find it hard to believe that someone can say "i have the perfect dog for you" just over a phone call.

I'd be interested in hearing Will's list also. I'm in Michigan

I think Will is out for a while. Probably has 150 PMs. Anyone get his list? I'd be interested anyone in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

Thanks,