Choosing a trainer
My last trainer used methods I did not like
Feeling uneasy about how your dog was handled does not make you difficult. It makes you an owner paying attention. You are allowed to ask exactly what a trainer will do, with which equipment, and why. This page covers how to bring that up without awkwardness, the questions worth asking, and what we publish about our own approach so you can judge it yourself.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Raising it openly
How to talk about method without it getting awkward.
Describe what happened rather than labelling it. Tell us which equipment was used, how it was introduced, and what your dog did in response: shut down, got frantic, avoided the trainer, or seemed fine while you were not. Those details matter more than a method's name, because the same tool can be introduced well or badly, and your dog's reaction tells us what to steer clear of.
Then name your limits. If there is a tool you do not want used, say so before anything starts, and ask what the plan would look like without it. You can also ask how a tool works, what it is for, and to have each step explained in plain language. A trainer who is comfortable with their work should welcome those questions rather than dodge them.
- Which equipment was used
- How it was introduced
- How your dog reacted
- What you will not accept
What we publish
Our approach, stated up front so you can weigh it.
Skills are taught with markers and rewards first. Tools are matched to the individual dog, which can mean a slip lead, a prong collar or a modern Educator e-collar, and each one is introduced properly before it is relied on. Both off-leash programs include a remote collar along with owner education on using every tool properly. Nothing about our toolkit is a secret, and it is all open to questions.
Everything is one-on-one, so the plan is built around one dog and one household, never a class. Board and train ends with a handover lesson where you practise the handling yourself, and free follow-up sessions are included. If you would rather stay hands-on, Private Training is $150 + GST per one-hour session with a written plan for your home. The consultation is where your concerns shape what we recommend.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
How do I tell a new trainer I did not like the last one's methods?
Describe what was done and how your dog reacted, without needing to name or judge anyone. Then say clearly which approaches you are not comfortable with. That gives the new trainer something concrete to plan around.
Does Northline K9 use e-collars or prong collars?
Tools are matched to the individual dog and can include slip leads, prong collars or modern Educator e-collars. Skills are taught with markers and rewards first, and any tool is introduced properly and taught to the owner. Raise any tool you want to avoid at the consultation.
Can I ask a trainer to explain a tool before it is used on my dog?
Yes, and you should. Every tool we use is taught to the owner, so asking how it works and why it suits your dog is a fair question to bring to the consultation.
What questions should I ask about a trainer's methods?
Ask what the dog is taught first, which equipment might be used and how it is introduced, and what you will be shown at the end. Ask how they decide a tool suits a particular dog. Clear, specific answers are a good sign.
Keep reading
Ask us about method
Bring your concerns and your limits. Book a consultation and we will explain exactly how we would work with your dog.
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