The reward based spaniels group has everyone listing their favourite trainers (and wow are the trainers listed so different to what you would get in a generalised reward based training group and so so so far away from a generic dog training group) so here are some trainers who have fundamentally shaped how I train and think about training:
Jo Laurens at Force Free Gundog. Her book is the first time I properly appreciated that Force Free Training is not simply "training without the punishment quadrant". She kickstarted my self-evaluation of how I train from the very start and led to me seeking out resources to re-learn the reward based dog training foundations properly. I cannot wait for her sequel book (as FFG is a beginner focussed book)
Catja B Pedersen. I took her offcue course and had my mind blown on how versatile shaping, clickers and errorless learning can be for every single foundational dog skill. Finally started to understand what clean training mechanics and errorless loops in training actually are. Started to learn how to actually "set up for success" through structured training sessions.
Sarah Owings. She expanded on my errorless skillset and I still need to take Control is an Illusion from her to make sure I'm not missing out on any fundamental skills. Critically, learning how to let control go and quit micromanaging dogs.
Agnieszka Janarek. My first introduction to how I can use opt in procedures, readiness checks and do dog sports with my dogs in a cooperative choice based framework. Also provided a very comprehensive trainers toolbox course to repair the holes in my dog training foundations since my reward systems and training set ups and reward processes all super sucked actually. How I needed that
Sharon Carroll. Broadened my horizons on how I can both use errorless, force free training methods, build and improve on choice based dog training and all of it in a dog sports competitive environment. Really started to learn about ring readiness and outside-of-the ring acclimatisation checks and consent checks.
Simone Mueller. Breed specific skillsets were already important to me but Simone took it to the next level, especially where owning high prey drive dogs and gundog breeds are concerned. So many games that build on breed skillsets, so much understanding of the challenges behind gundogs. When the online dog training world is so heavily tilted towards border collies and german shepherds, and solutions that suit those breeds, so bloody refreshing for someone to focus on gundogs.
