11/02/2026
My profession is dog training.
But training dogs is only a tiny fraction of what I do in a session with a client and their dog.
Most people think I spend my days scattering treats, playing ball and squeaking toys at cute puppies. In reality, this is not quite how my days go!
My first contact might be a text message or what's app at 10pm on a Sunday. Self employment means you are always on call and available unless you choose not to be. I try to be available.....I work when my clients need me. So first contact....a free chat via message or phone about their needs and requirements....when they want to chat....even if it's late...
I may book an appointment or suggest the client take some actions to confirm the dogs health in advance of booking a session. You should explore all avenues for new or unexplained difficult behaviours before embarking on training.
Then I prep for the appointment. I might purchase the right treats or toys for the specific dog. I may need equipment or kit that will make the clients life easier. I route plan so I know where I'm going, and I travel to the customers choice of of training venue. I sometimes take my own reactivity specialist dog, leila, in the car in case she is needed for reactivity or for demo stuff.
I arrive, meet and assess the dog, listen to the client and work out what is going on.
Most of my clients are too nice. Too polite. Too kind. Some have personal issues or things going on in addition to their dogs behaviour. Most are emotional. Drained from dealing with a tricky behaviour that is making their life harder than it needs to be. They need instruction. They need to change. They desperately need different. But....people don't like criticism. They dont like change. They dont like blame. So I don't. I don't criticise. Or blame. Or shame. We move forwards. Together, to fix the issues. I show. Suggest. Discuss.
I listen again. I explain again. I find ways around obstacles, issues, difficulties, disabilities. I build trust. You can't work well with someone you don't trust or believe. I temper my explanations. Sometimes you need a slower, drip feed approach.....sometimes you just need to shout instructions robot style. I clarify that my client understands. I demonstrate. I show what I'm aiming to achieve by working their dog myself. I may show with my own dog also to give a better example if the clients dog is not advanced enough in their learning. (To do this, I have to have spent time teaching my own dog this also).
I help them to practise, implement, assess themselves what is working. What is not. I teach my clients to train. I don't train their dog. I train the client.
And this is the hardest bit.....you invest so much of yourself in every single dog, every single client. You want them to achieve. To improve. To excell. You share every tiny improvement and every step forwards. You commiserate and analyse every fail. Why? How do we fix? What do we need to do better?
You leave them to practise. You're on call and on messaging when they need you to clarify anything. You celebrate their successes. You move on to your next appointment. But you stay in touch. You remember that dog. Its needs. Its way of learning. Its owner.
I am a dog trainer. But I am also a people trainer. A life coach. A confidence builder. A confidant. A counsellor. A truth teller. An emergency contact. I'm there with every customer. Cheering them on. Willing them to do better for their dog. Taking the emergency call at 8pm on Friday.
I am not someone who advertises myself. I don't hard sell my expertise. I dont push my business. I don't tout for work. I don't proclaim to be the best there is. But I fix dogs. And I do that by training their owners how to be the best they can for their dog. How to step up. Be clear. Show what you want and how to achieve it. Reward the good. Work through the less good. Make the changes.
I'm incredibly good at my job. I have to tell myself, because sometimes you doubt your own abilities. I'm an excellent trainer. I'm great with dogs. I can work well with people. And I get results from huge amounts of knowledge, hard work and perseverance.
There is a lot more to it than treats and squeakers.
And some days are tougher than others.
But every day...every single day.....my dog still adores me with every goofy ounce of her being. And she loves me, whatever I'm good at! 🤎🖤
