How to choose a dog trainer in Sydney (and red flags to watch for)

Anyone in Australia can call themselves a dog trainer

Here’s something many dog owners don’t realise: in Australia, dog training is a completely unregulated industry. There are no licensing requirements, no mandatory qualifications, and no governing body with the power to prevent someone from hanging out a shingle and calling themselves a professional trainer. This means that the person who took a weekend course and the person with years of professional development and study both carry the same title.

This isn’t a reason to panic — there are many excellent trainers working in Sydney. But it does mean the responsibility falls on you to do your research. And given that the wrong approach can make your dog’s behaviour worse, not better, it’s research worth doing carefully.

Why your choice of trainer matters more than you might think

Dog training isn’t just about teaching skills. Every interaction your dog has with a trainer is shaping their emotional state, their relationship with you, and their confidence in the world. Training methods that rely on fear, pain, or intimidation may produce short-term compliance — but they do so at a cost.

I’ve worked with many dogs over the years who arrived anxious, shutdown, or reactive as a direct result of previous aversive training. Rebuilding trust with those dogs takes time and patience that could have been avoided entirely with a better approach from the start. The method genuinely matters.

Good training, by contrast, builds a dog who is enthusiastic, confident, and genuinely engaged. The goal isn’t just a dog who does what they’re told — it’s a dog who wants to work with you because they’ve learned that good things happen when they do.

What qualifications should you look for?

Since there’s no mandatory licensing, professional memberships and certifications are your best indicator of a trainer who has invested in their education and committed to ethical standards. Here’s what to look for:

Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA)

The PPGA is a membership organisation for force-free trainers and behaviour consultants. Members commit to a code of practice that prohibits the use of aversive techniques. Membership alone isn’t a guarantee of excellence, but it does mean the trainer has made a public commitment to positive methods.

Delta Society / Pet Professional Accreditation Board

Delta has historically been one of the most recognised training accreditation bodies in Australia, offering tiered certifications that require demonstrated competency. Their accredited trainers have completed assessments that go beyond simply attending a course.

Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT Australia)

APDT membership requires trainers to adhere to a code of ethics that supports humane, science-based training. Members are encouraged to pursue ongoing professional development.

A trainer who holds one or more of these credentials has chosen to be accountable to a professional community. That matters. It also means there’s a body you can contact if something goes wrong.

Questions to ask any trainer before you commit

Don’t be embarrassed to interrogate a potential trainer before handing over your money or, more importantly, your dog. Here are the questions I’d recommend asking:

“What training methods do you use?”

Listen carefully to the answer. A good trainer will talk about positive reinforcement, reward-based training, or force-free methods. They should be able to explain their approach clearly and confidently. Be cautious of vague answers, or language like “I use whatever works” — this often means aversive techniques are on the table.

“How do you handle a dog who isn’t responding to training?”

This question reveals a lot. A skilled, ethical trainer will talk about adjusting their approach, understanding the dog’s emotional state, breaking the behaviour down into smaller steps, or addressing underlying anxiety. A trainer whose first answer is to add a correction or “show the dog who’s boss” is using outdated methods with a poor evidence base.

“Can I observe a class or session before I enrol?”

Any trainer who is confident in their methods will welcome this. If a trainer is reluctant to let you observe, ask yourself why. What you see in a class tells you far more than any website ever could: are the dogs relaxed and engaged? Are owners learning? Is the trainer calm, patient, and knowledgeable?

“What experience do you have with my dog’s specific issue?”

Whether it’s reactivity, separation anxiety, fear, aggression, or just basic obedience, you want a trainer who has genuine experience with your situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for this directly.

Red flags that should give you pause

Knowing the warning signs is essential when navigating an unregulated industry. Be cautious of:

• Guarantees. No ethical trainer guarantees results — behaviour is complex, every dog is different, and outcomes depend on many factors including owner follow-through. A guarantee is a marketing tactic, not a reflection of expertise.
• “Dominant,” “alpha,” or “pack leader” language. The dominance theory of dog behaviour has been thoroughly discredited by modern ethology and animal behaviour research. Trainers who still use this framework are working from outdated science, and their methods tend to follow accordingly.
• Training collars. Prong collars, choke chains, and e-collars (shock collars) work by causing pain or discomfort. They are banned in some Australian states and are not used by ethical, evidence-based trainers. Their use is associated with increased anxiety and aggression in dogs.
• Quick-fix promises. Real behaviour change takes time, consistency, and partnership between trainer, owner, and dog. Anyone promising a dramatic transformation in a single session is overstating what’s possible.
• Dismissal of your concerns. You know your dog. A good trainer listens, respects your observations, and works with you. If a trainer is dismissive, condescending, or makes you feel judged, find someone else.

What good results actually look like

It’s worth being clear about what you should expect from quality training. A successful outcome isn’t just a dog who complies under pressure. It’s a dog who:

• Responds willingly, without hesitation or signs of anxiety
• Chooses to engage with their owner rather than needing to be forced
• Looks relaxed and comfortable in training sessions
• Shows improvement in their general confidence and emotional wellbeing

Compliance through fear looks like results on the surface. But fearful dogs often find other outlets for their anxiety — redirecting into reactivity, resource guarding, or shutdown behaviour. Real training builds the whole dog, not just a set of behaviours.

The importance of owner education

One of the markers of an excellent trainer is how much they invest in teaching you, not just training your dog. The goal should always be to build your skills and understanding so that you can continue working with your dog long after the sessions end. If you finish a training programme feeling no more capable than when you started, the trainer hasn’t fully done their job.

At Eazy Dog Training, owner education is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re working with us in group classes or one-on-one private sessions, we want you to understand the why behind the what — so you and your dog can keep building on your progress together.

If you’re in Sydney’s Inner West, we’d love to help. Get in touch to find out which of our programmes suits your dog.