You don't have to blindly agree with your dog trainer to be a good dog owner. In fact, asking questions, challenging advice and being willing to think critically can be one of the best things you do for your dog.

Why Our Dogs Deserve Better Than Social Media Just one day this week I've seen: A trainer suggesting removing all of an aggressive dog's healthy teeth instead of considering behavioural euthanasia. Claims that force-free trainers are always telling owners to put their dogs to sleep. Every other post saying about the scientific method. A trainer talking about skinners pigeon experiments and how it shouldn't apply to dogs. A prominent positive reinforcement trainer sharing vide

"Not because I think I know better than vets, but because I think dog owners deserve conversations that go beyond 'take this tablet' or 'never use medication'. Like most things in dog training, I suspect the truth lives somewhere in the middle." Let's get something out of the way before you decide whether to keep reading. I'm not a vet. I'm not a veterinary behaviourist. I can't diagnose anxiety disorders, prescribe medication or tell you whether your dog should be taking it.

The dog training industry is full of passionate, knowledgeable people who genuinely want to help dogs and their owners. Confidence is important. In fact, we’d argue it’s essential. Clients need to trust that the person they’re paying can guide them through difficult behavioral issues. But confidence and ego aren't the same thing. Somewhere along the way, our industry has started rewarding certainty over curiosity. Instead of saying, "I don't know," or, "This case is outside m

Ironically, I'm writing this because I can't sleep. It got me thinking about something I spend a surprising amount of time talking to clients about: sleep. Not obedience. Not lead walking. Not recall. Sleep. It isn't the most glamorous topic in dog training, but I genuinely believe it's one of the most overlooked pieces of the puzzle. If you've ever told me your dog is reactive, anxious, constantly "on," or struggles to settle, one of my first questions is usually: "How much

# Why Are Some Dog Trainers Cheap and Others More Expensive? One of the questions I'm asked quite regularly is, "Why does dog training cost so much?" Usually, it's followed by, "I've found someone who'll do it for half the price." And honestly? That's absolutely fine. Like most professions, dog training comes at all price points. Some trainers charge very little, some charge a lot, and most of us sit somewhere in the middle, trying to make a living while spending an alarming

Choose a side? If you've spent more than five minutes in an online dog training group, you've probably seen someone dramatically announce: "I only use positive reinforcement!" Followed by someone else replying: "Actually, that's impossible because all four quadrants are always present..." At which point three people leave angry comments, someone posts a picture of a wolf, and the original question about pulling on the lead is completely forgotten. Welcome to the wonderful wor

Exploring Both Sides of the Debate If you've ever searched for a dog trainer, you'll have noticed something surprising: almost anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. Unlike professions such as veterinary medicine, physiotherapy, or teaching, dog training remains largely unregulated in the UK. There is no legal requirement for qualifications, no mandatory standards of practice, and no governing body that every trainer must answer to. For some, this is a major problem that p