10/28/2024
Let’s talk about the dog training industry.
This industry has changed so much since we started out a few years ago. We can’t imagine what it must feel like for those who have been in it for decades and the changes they have seen.
Being on the outskirts of Charlotte, a growing, well-known city, we’ve seen the incredible influx of people moving here. It’s one of the friendliest dog cities in the US with dog parks, dog bars, dog trails, dog-friendly rentals, cute dog boutique shops everywhere.
But it’s challenging being a dog trainer in a city like Charlotte. The market has become so saturated and there are so many well meaning, aspiring dog trainers.
We’ve been on our own journey of growth as trainers. Over the past year, we’ve deepened our knowledge and approach, learning to better understand each dog’s unique background, behavior, and body language. This growth has helped us become more effective and compassionate in our work—and ultimately, to serve both dogs and their owners more thoughtfully.
We’ve previously made a post about “What To Look For In A Dog Trainer” but figured it was time for a different approach.
Purely positive, balanced, prong collars, crate training, ecollar/shock collars.
None of this matters if your trainer doesn’t know how to read dog body language.
Read that again.
Dogs are not robots nor should we expect them to be.
If you have a trainer telling you they can guarantee a fix, that is a huge red flag. The only guarantee in dog training is that there are no guarantees.
We see so many owners that want a quick fix “my dog is aggressive” “my dog is resource guarding” “my dog has anxiety” “my dog is reactive” and some trainers offer quick fixes.
What if you can resolve these issues without needing an ecollar to correct your dogs every move?
How would you feel if we told you that achieving a happy and fulfilling life with your dog might simply require giving them time to decompress? Why do we assume dogs should handle stress differently than humans after a traumatic event? And what about genetics—how do they factor into behavior?
While it’s great to see so many passionate dog trainers in our community, it’s important to remember that not all trainers have a deep understanding of key aspects like dog genetics, temperament, and body language. These factors play a huge role in successful training. And while five-star reviews can be appealing, they don’t always tell the whole story.
When choosing a trainer, it’s essential to look beyond ratings and focus on their ability to truly understand and work with your dog’s unique needs. We see so many dog trainers missing vital body language cues and it’s not doing the dogs any justice.
Let’s start doing right by our dogs and understanding their language.
