It is okay to ask lots of questions when looking for a trainer. In fact, most trainers expect to hear questions and are glad to answer them. The following is a checklist of questions you should ask a trainer before signing your dog up for classes.

How many years have you been training dogs?

What titles have you put on dogs?

Have you trained rottweilers? What titles have those rottweilers earned?

What types of classes do you offer?

Do you use positive reinforcement training or some other type of training? How much of it is positive reinforcement?

When do you offer classes? When is the next available class?

Do you hold any certifications?

Have you written any books? Which ones?

Do you offer a written guarantee? If so, what do you guarantee?

After my rottie and I finish the course, are there drop-in classes so that we can practice?

Do you offer any one-on-one training classes?

Do you offer behavioral counseling?

Do you offer any other services (such as grooming, doggie day care)?

Do you have any clients I can contact for recommendations?

How large are your typical classes?

Many of these questions have no right or wrong answers. When you meet with the trainer, you want to be sure that her training style and personality agree with yours. You also need to know if the trainer is comfortable working with rottweilers. Some trainers only like to work with easily trained dogs or certain breeds. If you sense that the trainer may not like to train rottweilers, look for another trainer.

Regardless of the trainer you choose, realize that if something isn't working out for you right now, you can look for a better trainer elsewhere. Once you find an excellent trainer, you'll be glad you did — and so will your rottie!