COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Choosing the right dog trainer for your pup can be a difficult decision, but it's an important one. This comes after Madison County Sheriff's Office deputies uncovered at least nine dead dogs at the Mt. Sterling home of a dog trainer.   This unusual case puts the industr y of dog training under a bit of a microscope. Not just DEI: Seven things to know about Ohio’s sweeping higher ed bill "The dog training industry is not a regulated industry, OK, so there is no set process for it,” Central Ohio Muttesori School owner and trainer Tiffany Copley said. “You can go through schools. You cannot go through schools. You could hang your shingle up right now and say you're a dog trainer and nobody could dispute that because there's no regulation in it. There is no regulation as to how we can train dogs as well. You have people who are positive. You have people who use punishment. You have people who use kind of a mix of both. And then you have extremists on both ends.”  Copley has been training dogs for more than 30 years, she said Tuesday night during a puppy training class at her school. She urges dog owners to do some research before trusting someone else with their dog.   "Get references and preferably references, not just from clients or people they know, but also professionals who have dealt with them on a professional level and then ask them what methods do they use and they should be able to be specific,” Copley said. “Vagueness can be a red flag. So, if they're just saying we do what's best for your dog, then maybe push a little harder. What kind of tools do you use or how would you handle this situation? Or do you do this or that? And you should be able to get clear answers. Another red flag is when programs make promises and really, really big promises. So, you know, two weeks and your dog will be perfectly trained on and off leash. That's a really big promise to make.”  There are many different levels of education in dog training ranging from no formal education to graduating from a dog training school, and then even professional certifications for dog training. Copley encourages dog owners to choose a method and trainer they are comfortable with.   Ohio lawmakers want to crack down on reckless driving in work zones "No matter what you choose, you should make sure that you are comfortable with it not only being done to your dog, but then being able to do that yourself to your dog, because you're also going to have to follow up with it," Copley said.  Doing research on a trainer is a good start, but Copley also recommends having good questions for a prospective trainer before you agree to terms. She said she's seen and worked with many dog trainers over the years, and in an unregulated industry, there are bound to be trainers that talk a big game but don't follow through.   "Unfortunately, there are a lot of programs out there who kind of promise to give you back a perfect dog, and that's not realistic. It simply isn't," Copley said.  ...read more read less