I didn't know if I should have replied to the other thread where someone mentioned they hoped I was training her, or start a new one. I opted for a new one cuz of the topic.

I have paid 2 trainers and both have let me down. The first is a great guy who is a good trainer but a horrible business man. He lost his kennel because of it, no mistreatment of the dogs or anything (I found the thing on the city website) and has moved 50 miles away. He still owes me 6 lessons and is very hard to get hold of. I only have his cell phone and that is usually full and I can;t leave a message. The 2nd was a dog walking place that incorporates socializing obedience and exercise. Well the dumb arse used a halti on her and the result.. rub/burn marks on her muzzle. Luckily the hair is growning back. The link shows her marks.
What should I look for in a trainer? What questions should I ask? I have never had a puppy before, my other 3 dogs were adults and easy to train and the SPCA was perfect. I certainly don't know enough to train her on my own. The K9 officers I work with have offered to help, but its not a sure thing. I'm not sure how to socialize her either. She really was doing better with the walkers (not barking at every dog she saw), but I can't trust them.

We've actually had fairly in-depth discussions regarding what qualifications a club or trainer should have within the last two months here on the forum.....

I think this is one of the threads that Will mentioned...

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4166606/page/0/fpart/1/vc/1

Probably more helpful than my post. Good luck!

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I certainly don't know enough to train her on my own.

Training your own dog is a really great way to bond with your dog. I would say to save your money with the trainer(s) and get Ed's Basic Obedience DVD. It explains everything very clearly.

Exercising your dog will go a very, very long way towards calming her behavior and making her easy to live with.

Thanks Anne 2.
I bought both the basic obedience and dominant dog dvd's. Helpful yes but me and the dog need advanced work. I walk her everyday for 2 miles and do obedience on the walk, in the beginning and the middle, at the end I let her stalk the ground squirrels while by my side. The dog walkers were more to socialize her than exercise her. I have never had a problem with the exercise part. I live alone and my friends who have dogs (all 2 of them) don't seem to want to help in the training, we get together to go walking or let them play. She totally dominates one, including humping him. She listens to me now and we definitely have a bond, I am looking to further her training to keep that brain of hers active, I said before I just want to do her justice. I was sent some great links by someone for clubs around here, but I work weekends and that is when they seem to do most things. Plus they are an hour away, which would make it difficult to get to work in time. My dog is banned from work (because of politics) and leaving her in the car I'd rather only do in case of an emergency. (I do have a crate in the back for her).
thanks Anne (1) for the other thread & suggestions.

Dear Consuelo,

I feel sorry for you. You are definitely not the only one in this situation. Let me explain to you why.

I have been to many different clubs where I introduce myself as just a guy with a dog who is interested in training for Shutzhund. I never tell them who I really am (a trainer) in order to see if the trainer in charge really knows anything training/Schutzhund. What I find is that most of these "trainers" are scam artists. These types of trainers make me really enraged because they take advantage of people who have a lot of passion for the sport. I love the sport and I believe it should be bigger in this country than it currently is but unfortunately there are a lot of "trainers", who are not really trainers, that ruin it for far too many owners. How can you keep your passion when see all of your sacrifice, hard work, and hard earned money go to waste?

It is really difficult for a novice to gauge whether or not they are in good hands. I wish there was a way to for all trainers take a specific course or program to gain a certificate proving their proficiency in training, but that is impossible because there are a myriad of techniques and apporaches to training. What I suggest is for you to participate in many seminars held by distinguished trainers and apply techniques that work well for you and your dog. Most importantly use common sense. If you're not getting the reasults you want, then soemthing is obviously not right. My philosophy is that the dogs never make mistakes. The only mistakes that dogs make are from poor training techniques.

I am a professional dog trainer and I have a facility called K9 Nation in Hannibal, New York. I offer many types of programs. If you are interested in visiting, my facility is open for training seven days a week. Here is my contact info so I can elaborate on all the different programs we offer to people outside of New York: k9nation1@aol.com or you can call me at 315-564-5459.
Here are a few references from people on this board:
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4175728/an/0/page/0#Post4175728

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4175827/an/0/page/2#Post4175827

Or you can read this:

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Hi everyone,
I recently returned from the new K9 Nation training facility in Hannibal, New York where I conducted a seminar hosted by Francesco Carotenuto. I must say that Francesco's facility is one of the best in the country. I was truly impressed at how professional his training centre was operated.
Francesco's facility has a variety of fields, each tailored for a specific training exercise. His tracking fields are varied and can cover any and every level of experience.
I consider Francesco to be a really high level trainer. His training techniques are really impressive and his views on Schutzhund training are admirable. Francesco regards his dogs as athletes. He does not only consider the technical aspects of training, but also concentrates on diet and stamina, something that is often overlooked. His handling skills are superb and his timing on corrections or rewards is perfect. In addition, Francesco's skill on helper work really impressed me. He's one of the few helpers that can spin left and right with no problem. His presentation of the sleeve is always correct. His catches are always smooth and safe. He can correctly apply different pressure with different dogs and is also very fast for helper work.
Francesco can read dogs like an open book. His knowledge of techniques is vast and he has, as well, developed many new techniques of his own. Some of his techniques now I will use for my dogs too. I would consider myself lucky to have Francesco working with my dogs in a daily basis.
I've never posted about anyone before, but I felt compelled to do so for Francesco and K9 Nation. His training facility is first class and his demeanour is professional. His dogs are some of the hardest dogs I've ever worked with and he produces high quality puppies. I highly recommend Francesco Carotenuto to anyone interested in competing for Schutzhund and especially for people that want to compete at national levels.

Best regards
Bernhard Flinks

Yours truly,
Francesco Carotenuto