Picking the Right Dog Trainer
Ensuring your dog’s safety starts with choosing the right trainer—learn what to look for in our latest guide. Photo credit Wen Zhu
Two people have been arrested after ten dogs under the care of an Irvine-based dog trainer died under suspicious circumstances. On June 18, 2025, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) was contacted by a pet owner who reported that their dog trainer had informed them that their dog had died in its sleep and been cremated. Further investigation revealed that at least ten dogs had died in the trainer's care, leading to the arrests of Kwong (Tony) Chun Sit, 53, of Irvine, and his girlfriend, Tingfeng Liu, 23, of Vista, on charges of animal cruelty and destruction of evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with veterinary professionals conducting necropsies to determine the cause of death.
As this tragic case unfolds, owners are left to wonder whether their trainers, doggy daycare centers, and pet boarding facilities can be trusted. We spoke with Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer, on how to ensure your pet’s safety.
Ellis, who grew up modeling and acting, has trained not just dogs but also tigers, bears, and leopards. As an experienced trainer, she said her most important job is protecting the animal’s health and safety. This includes providing appropriate rest periods, hydration, and immediate access to veterinary care when needed.
“A trainer must know how to read dog body language, prevent conflict between dogs, and be prepared to respond to emergencies,” said Ellis. “The well-being of the dog always comes before the training goals. And we can’t get the same results when a dog is stressed so I personally aim to provide a home-like environment for dogs in my care.”
Preventing Tragedy
While protocols may vary slightly between trainers, Ellis outlines the standard procedures that should be followed when managing multiple dogs in a training environment. These procedures are crucial for maintaining the dogs’ safety and well-being.
“Trainers should document feeding, toileting, and behavior changes daily,” stated Ellis. “Sanitation protocols, staff-to-dog ratios, emergency response plans, and clear rest and enrichment schedules are all essential. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with others unless it's a structured and carefully assessed group play setting.”
When trainers don’t follow these guidelines, the consequences can be deadly. Preventable deaths can result from overheating, aspiration from improper use of tools like slip leads, stress-related medical events, undetected pre-existing conditions, or dog-on-dog conflict due to lack of supervision.
“Some deaths occur during unsupervised crate time or because a dog was pushed too far emotionally or physically without adequate rest or hydration,” said Ellis. “This is why constant observation and responsive care are critical.”
Ellis mentioned instances of neglect and abuse that come from people who claim to be dog trainers but have no official training. She cited a case of a dog rescue organization that lost a dog because the trainer was withholding food as a training tactic to make a dog submit.
“That’s something that is simply cruel, wrong, and should never be done,” said Ellis. “There is zero excuse or reason for this. It makes me absolutely sick.”
Warning Signs
A distressed dog may exhibit a wide range of symptoms, including excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden behavioral changes, tremors, or collapse. A responsible trainer should recognize the symptoms of overheating, bloat, and shock, and always err on the side of caution.
“Even subtle shifts in behavior—like a social dog becoming withdrawn—can indicate something is wrong,” explained Ellis. “For a very conscious trainer, if the dog’s stool has changed, we ask why. Is it stress? Is it too many treats? There are so many signs we should be observing before major occurrences.”
Pet owners have to be just as observant when assessing trainers as trainers are when watching dogs in their care. While interviewing a potential trainer, doggie daycare, or dog boarding representative, ask about procedures and protocols. Vague answers to questions about supervision or daily routines, for example, are a red flag.
“A qualified trainer should welcome questions and be transparent about their methods, emergency procedures, and experience with your dog’s breed or issues,” Ellis said. “Ask about certifications, continuing education, and specific handling protocols.”
Other warning signs Ellis mentioned are trainers who use outdated or harsh methods, any facilities that don’t require vaccination records, and trainers who can’t describe their emergency protocols. Facilities that house too many dogs for their staff capacity or use one-size-fits-all training approaches should also be viewed with caution. While vetting a trainer online is efficient, Ellis said it can be misleading. Positive Yelp and Google reviews are not necessarily from actual customers, and negative ones can be contested and potentially removed by owners. Instead, Ellis recommended doing some legwork.
“Tour the facility in person,” Ellis said. “Observe a class or session and trust your gut.”
Certification in an Unregulated Industry
Ellis encouraged pet owners to learn about dog trainer certifications. There are dozens of organizations that provide a variety of accreditations for dog trainers. Learning about the most common certifications can be useful, but for the sake of simplicity, Ellis suggested seeking out a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, or an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant. For dogs with separation anxiety, she recommended a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer.
“It is very, very rare I see these stories emerge with someone with actual accreditations,” said Ellis. “Certifications signify a level of expertise and commitment to ethical training practices, and effort and time commitment to learn more and be evaluated on their skills. These organizations require continuing education, adherence to humane practices, and ethical guidelines.”
Ellis cautioned, however, that certifications alone should not be the sole basis for selecting a trainer.
“Since the industry is still largely unregulated, certifications should be one piece of the puzzle—not the only factor,” Ellis warned. “Always evaluate the full picture.”
Until the United States decides to regulate the dog training industry, as many European countries already do, the onus is on owners to determine which trainers to trust. Ellis said the industry needs clearer standards and accountability.
“Regulation could include required certifications, safety inspections for facilities, mandatory reporting of incidents, and consequences for negligence,” Ellis said. “There should also be more education around humane, evidence-based training methods, and stronger consumer awareness about what credentials actually mean.”
In addition to regulatory practices, Ellis said accountability for tragedies could be useful.
“If negligence leads to a dog’s injury or death, there should be formal investigations and consequences, including potential revocation of business licenses or certifications,” said Ellis. “Transparency with the pet’s family is crucial, and trainers should be held to a duty of care—just like in any other caregiving profession.”
For more information on training certifications, check out Ellis’s article on the subject here.