18/10/2026
I try not to get involved in the training methodology debate that is continuously doing the rounds but I think this is an important post to share and there’s a lot we can learn from it.
Safety is always number 1 priority for any dog, animal, member of the public. An assessment does not require seeing the dog ‘at their worst’ in order to work out what is going on, how the dog is feeling and what behaviour plan we’re going to put in place. An experienced behaviourist should have worked with enough cases to be able to ask the right questions and come to the right conclusions without having to put the dog through stress.
If, as a client, you are not comfortable with something a trainer/behaviourist is advising, do not do it. Ask questions, express your concerns and step away if you don’t like it. Just because you’ve paid for the service, doesn’t mean you have to take the advice.
You know your dog best
UPSETTING CONTENT
Maddie’s owners were encouraged by their vet to contact me for help after a very distressing experience with a local dog trainer which had left both Maddie and her owner traumatised.
Maddie was rescued when she was 2 years old from a situation where she had been mistreated and kept in a cage. Despite her early experiences, Maddie adores people and is a very friendly girl, but her new owners quickly realised that Maddie doesn’t like other dogs in her space and will react by barking and lunging. They worried she would bite if another dog got too close. As a result, Maddie’s owners had taken the sensible decision to muzzle train her and she wears her muzzle out on walks.
Maddie’s owners regularly book freedom fields so that Maddie can safely enjoy time off lead. It was at one of these freedom fields that they were approached by a dog trainer who told them she could help with Maddie’s reactions to other dogs. Maddie’s owners, wanting to do the best for her, booked an assessment.
The assessment involved introducing Maddie to the trainer’s dog. First, Maddie’s owner was instructed to remove Maddie’s lead, collar, harness and muzzle. Shocked, she explained that she didn’t think it was a good idea. The trainer responded that she needed to see Maddie ‘at her worst’ in order to assess her and insisted everything be removed. She also instructed Maddie’s owner to stand back and allow Maddie free reign.
Following the trainer’s instructions, Maddie was allowed to freely run up to the fence where the trainer’s dog was waiting with the trainer. The trainer then proceeded to let her dog into the same field as Maddie, while calling over to Maddie’s owner that her dog may ‘correct’ Maddie. The trainer’s dog did ‘correct’ Maddie, although Maddie had not barked, growled or lunged, she would undoubtedly have been tense. As a result a fight ensued between the two dogs. Maddie’s owner ran across the field with her heart in her mouth. She grabbed Maddie as best she could with no collar/lead/harness to get hold of. In the midst of this, Maddie’s owner suffered a bite from the trainer’s dog. Instead of apologising the trainer threatened to call the police and report Maddie!
Being the good people they are, Maddie’s owners offered to pay for any vet bills the trainer’s dog needed as a result of the fight. The trainer of course took the money while still threatening to report Maddie and her owners to the police.
Maddie’s distraught owners went straight to the vet to get her checked over and ask for advice, worried that they would have to have Maddie put to sleep. The vet reassured them and advised them to contact me for proper advice and help.
Both Maddie and her owner have been traumatised by this event and are rebuilding their confidence. During our initial assessment it became clear that Maddie is suffering with chronic pain. This is common in dogs with behavioural issues. As a qualified clinical animal behaviourist, I am trained to identify this and to liaise with vets to provide the dogs in my care with the best possible help.
An initial assessment should never be about seeing your dog at their worst. A good dog behaviourist does not need to see that. I can gain so much information from both you and your dog without putting them in stressful situations, never mind dangerous ones.
Yes, I sometimes use my dogs to help with assessments, if it is appropriate, but this is always done in a safe, controlled way. I would never put my dogs or yours at risk. If a trainer knowingly puts their dogs in harms way, they clearly do not care for or respect their dogs and should not be trusted with yours.
Maddie now has a training plan in place which was tailored specifically to her needs. We are working on her reaction to traffic and prey as well as other dogs and she has had some brilliant success over the last few weeks. She is able to make good decisions around dogs when given the space she needs. For Maddie, food is not of interest when she is out of the house, so we have worked on other ways of rewarding good decisions and encouraging engagement with her owner on walks. Maddie is also enjoying regular physio sessions and doing some exercises at home to strengthen her hindlimbs as well as taking pain medication to help with the chronic pain I suspected was contributing to her behaviour problems.
Maddie has wonderful owners, who have only ever tried to do their best to give their rescue girl the best possible life. There are so many people out there claiming to be dog trainers or behaviourists, it is difficult to know who to ask for help. Many of these self-professed trainers and behaviourists do more harm than good. You may spend your hard-earned money and your dog’s behaviour is worse than it was before. Worse still your dog is hurt physically or emotionally in the process.
Maddie and her owners hope that sharing her story will help other people avoid the experience they had. If you need help with your dog’s behaviour or even just help with basic training, please make sure you do your research to protect yourselves and your dog. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council have a register of properly qualified, experienced, ethical dog trainers and behaviourists so you can find one in your area.
Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC also have register of qualified behaviourists.
If a behaviourist is on either of these registers, it also means their fees are often covered by your pet insurance.
Photo credit to Harriet at Millhaven Canine Rehabilitation who have been are helping Maddie with physio treatment 😊
