28/10/2025
When did we stop putting dog welfare first?
Lately, I’ve felt so disheartened scrolling through social media. Post after post asking for “a good behaviourist,” and the same names pop up — people using slip leads, prong collars, “quick fixes” — yet somehow, they’re the ones being praised.
Meanwhile, those of us who’ve spent years studying, completing constant CPD, and investing thousands into our education are often overlooked. We work with the latest science, focusing on welfare and long-term change, not suppression.
It’s hard watching “balanced trainers” promise instant results after an online course or a few shadow sessions with the latest celebrity trainer. They often have the flashy TikToks, the big K9 logos, the confident voices — but where’s the compassion? Where’s the understanding of emotion, trauma, and genetics that drive behaviour?
I’ve even been told I have “no right” to teach about reactivity because my own dog is reactive. What that person doesn’t know is the journey my dog has been on. The patience, the progress, the setbacks, and the deep understanding of what it means to live with a dog who is scared. Pulling him on a slip lead when he reacts wouldn’t “fix” him — it would punish his fear.
Quick fixes might look good on social media, but they don’t last. Real behaviour change takes time, empathy, and trust. Aversive training can suppress behaviour, but it doesn’t heal emotion. Doing the slow, ethical work of actually addressing root causes is key. Every time a guardian is helped to understand that their dog’s “reactivity” is communication, it's changing how people see dogs — even if that change doesn’t go viral.
If you’re looking for help with your dog, please — look past the promises of instant transformation.
Ask about qualifications.
Ask about methods.
Ask whether they’re working for your dog, or just trying to make your dog compliant.
Science-based, welfare-first training might not be flashy, but it’s kind, ethical, and it lasts a lifetime.
To my fellow force-free professionals feeling worn down: I see you. Keep going. What you’re doing matters — even if it doesn’t trend.
