22/10/2026
🚨 THE PET INDUSTRY IS ALARMINGLY UNREGULATED. AND WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT. 🚨
As pet owners, we hand over our keys, our homes, and our absolute best friends to people claiming to be "professionals." But do you actually know what is happening behind the scenes?
The truth is, it is genuinely dangerous to hire an unqualified professional. They miss the root cause of a dog's behaviour—like fear or pain—and fail to use the correct tools which can easily turn manageable issues into severe aggression.
I recently went undercover to run a quiet check on local pet services on behalf of a pet directory by asking one simple question:
"Do you have any credentials?"
The results were staggering:
• Insurance: Yes, they all had it - which is the absolute bare minimum baseline, not a qualification.
• DBS Checks: Almost none provided basic background checks, despite asking to be handed keys to people's private homes.
• First Aid: Only two had actually invested in proper training.
Communication: "Seen" messages with no responses the moment real accountability was on the line.
• Behaviour & Training: Alarmingly, many are actively selling training and behaviour modification services to the public with zero certifications or formal education.
• The Best Part? One even threatened to report me to the police just for asking if they had credentials. If you have nothing to hide, why lash out?
And I know who they are.
Owners: Please do not be afraid to ask for credentials during your Meet and Greets. 🐾
Anyone can buy a branded jacket, a snazzy website, call themselves a trainer, or copy someone else's educational content. But when it comes down to your dog's safety, mental well-being, and complex behavioural needs, a TikTok aesthetic does not cut it.
The bar is incredibly low here and real expertise requires rigorous, science-backed education—like my upcoming IMDT Level 5, my Student TCBTS membership, and full authorisation to accept direct veterinary referrals as a practicing Behaviourist with the intention of working towards full CAB accreditation.
Your dogs deserve actual professionals. Never ever feel bad about demanding proof of who is working with them! 🤎
Much love,
Auntie Beth ❤️ x
