Crikit has great ideas. Yes, look around in directories and newspapers in your area. Ask friends, family, neighbors and local vets what trainers they reccomend. And deffinatally visit and watch 1-3 classes before enrolling. Possibly conference w/ the trainer before enrolling. Ask the trainer some questions that may be important to you. For example:

How long has he/she been training?

If he/she worked as an intern ask if you may contact the trainer.

Do they have any other animal backgroud? (did they work for a vet, shelter etc)

How did she learn to train dogs?

How many classes does he hold each year/month?

How many dogs does she allow in each class?

Does he/she have any assistant's?

What type of requirement do you have to meet? (she should only allow dogs w/ current vaccines including kennel cough & possibly heartworm prevention)

What method does he use? (humane, discipline etc..)

What type of collars, leads, treats etc.. do they reccomend?

Does she have experience w/ certain breeds? (some are more diminant than others)

Are they knowledgable w/ behavior problems &/or illnesses?

What pets do they own?

Does he/she show their dogs?

Do they also teach agility, flyball or any other sport?

Add any ?'s you feel is important.



Personally I would make sure the trainer has had quite a bit of experience w/ obedience. I find that most trainers that almost always have classes going on year round one after the other or are overcrowded &/or have many helpers do not have good results. As far as what type of training ther teach depends on how you want to train your dog. I personally like the humane method w/ the understanding that if you have a very dominant dog or one w/ behavioral problems etc.. & you have tried every other method, then possibly convert to a stricter method. You should look for one that reccomends using whatever form of praise (treats, toys, petting, clicking etc) that suits your dog. A trainer should know some basic heath issues but does not need to be a vet. You want an obedience trainer that is knowledgable w/ behavioral problems. A trainer should know about other dog sports and may compete his/her dog(s) in them and may teach a beginer class on a sport but should not teach both advanced sports & obedience classes as I think there is too much involved and takes too much time to properly teach all that is needed.
Again what I said are my personall beliefs so I do not meen to offend anyone.