Critical Thinking in Dog Training Choices.

When it comes to choosing a dog trainer, how do you really know who’s the right fit for you and your dog? In a world where information is everywhere and online reviews are just a click away, it’s easy to assume that a five-star rating or a few positive comments mean you’re making the best choice. But here at The Flip Flop Dog Training, I want to invite you to go further. I want you to use something essential that most people forget to apply in these decisions: critical thinking.

This article is inspired by a topic I’ve discussed many times on my Brazilian YouTube channel, Educação Canina, where I’ve shared dog training education and insights for over a decade. I worked as a dog trainer in Brazil for 16 years and continue to assist many of my clients there remotely to this day. Whether in Brazil or here in the U.S., my message is the same: dog owners deserve to make smart, informed choices about who they trust to work with their dogs.

Don’t Be Fooled by Stars and Reviews

Online reviews can be helpful—but they can also be misleading. Anyone can leave a review, and unfortunately, many of those reviews are influenced, incentivized, or written without real understanding of the service being offered.

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers. But a five-star rating doesn’t guarantee that a trainer will be the right fit for you and your dog.

Real Work Speaks Louder Than Words

The only solid proof of a trainer’s skill is seeing their work in action. That’s why, at The Flip Flop Dog Training, we make it a priority to share videos of our training sessions and real results with real dogs. When you watch a trainer working with a variety of dogs, dealing with real-life behavior challenges, you’re able to see the methods, the results, and the kind of relationship they build with the dogs.

Videos don’t lie.

No review or social media post can replace that kind of clear, transparent demonstration.

Why Critical Thinking Matters

Far too often, I’ve seen people make quick decisions based on a nice website picture, a lower price, or a Google review—without taking the time to actually look at the trainer’s work. This superficial analysis can lead to missed opportunities or, worse, disappointing experiences.

I call this falling for a training “scam.”

Not necessarily a fraud, but a situation where you pay for something and don’t get the results you expected because you didn’t look deeper before making your choice.

Critical thinking is your best defense against this.

How to Apply Critical Thinking When Choosing a Trainer

🔍 Ask to see video examples of the trainer’s work.

Don’t settle for written testimonials—look for evidence of real training with different dogs.

🔍 Evaluate results, not just promises.

Watch how dogs respond to the trainer over time, not just during a single edited clip.

🔍 Understand that opinions differ.

What one person considers a “well-trained dog” might not match your expectations. That’s why you need to see the work and decide for yourself.

🔍 Take your time.

Good dog training is an investment of time, money, and trust. Don’t rush into it based on surface-level information.

Beyond Dog Training—A Life Skill

The habit of critical thinking doesn’t stop at dog training. It’s something that should be applied to every service, product, and decision you make. In a world full of noise, opinions, and paid advertisements, learning to question, analyze, and seek real evidence will protect you and lead you to better choices in every area of life.

At The Flip Flop Dog Training, my mission is to help you make the best decision not only for your dog but for your peace of mind. That’s why I encourage you to think deeper, question more, and look for real, practical proof of any trainer’s ability—including mine.

If you’d like to learn more about this topic and see examples of real dog training in action, feel free to visit my Brazilian YouTube channel, Educação Canina. It’s where I’ve been educating dog owners and sharing my work for over 16 years, and I continue to support many clients from Brazil remotely to this day.

Your dog deserves a trainer who can show results, not just talk about them.

And you deserve to choose with confidence.