One of many things I’ve been thinking about, is how trainers represent their own dogs, how they talk about them, how they view them, what they prioritise with their own dog(s).  Because that will give you some idea of how they will treat your dog.

Do they say how obedient they are; how perfectly trained they are; how well behaved they are; how they can take them anywhere; how they cope with everything life throws at them without a second thought?

Or do they talk about how important it is for their dog to be happy, confident, comfortable and to feel safe?  Do they share stories of enjoyable activities they do together, focusing on the dog’s experience, not just their own?

There’s no right or wrong, and those things are not mutually exclusive (providing the trainer understands and can read their dog). 

Does the trainer prioritise their own dogs’ welfare and safety above all else?  Or do they put their dog(s) in unsafe situations when working with clients’ dogs or for the purpose of getting videos for social media?  We all make errors of judgement at times, but intentionally putting their own dog in harm’s way is not OK; if they don’t look out for their own dog, they certainly won’t be prioritising your dog’s welfare.

Do they share photos and/or videos of their dogs happy and relaxed, enjoying life, or only complying with strict “obedience commands”, always doing what they’re told, even if they’re clearly uneasy with it?

And what about how they view, talk about and interact with clients’ dogs?  Are they respectful of the dogs (and their humans) that they’re working with?  Do they treat each dog as an individual, without making sweeping generalisations about the dog’s breed or background?  Do they get a thorough history on each dog including considering health factors (eg pain or gut issues) that may be contributing to behaviour, or are they trying to address a medical problem with a training and behaviour change plan?

Are they constantly watching and assessing the dog’s body language and behaviour and adjusting what they do accordingly?  Do they understand and acknowledge how much owners care about their dogs and how they desperately want to help their dogs, not just fix them (there’s a chasm sized difference)?  Does the trainer even like dogs, or do they use language that is dismissive and indicates they don’t much care about them?

Do they acknowledge that owners often have a lack of awareness and understanding about dog behaviour; do they take the opportunity to educate those owners, so they can do better for their dogs into the future?  Or do they ignore the fact education is needed, because it doesn’t fit in with their narrative? 

Because I see trainers who seem to view dogs as a set of “problem behaviours” that need to be fixed, to be controlled, to be quashed.

But if dogs are doing things we see as problematic, why are they doing them?  They deserve someone who understands why things happen, and that dogs need to be helped, coached and guided, not just corrected or punished, and trampled all over.

I was listening to an interview with a UK trainer the other day.  They said that you can’t punish a non-behaviour, it has to happen to get punished.  Many problem behaviours come from the dog not feeling safe or they’re communicating a need; this is what’s being punished.  Dogs who feel unsafe and unheard are being punished for feeling unsafe and ignored; that’s not OK; but it’s the reality for so many dogs.

And it’s so insidious, it’s happening right in front of our eyes on social media, on the internet, on the TV.  I can immediately see it for what it is.  But dog owners are being convinced by a very compelling narrative that’s repeated again and again, from multiple sources, so it feels true.  And those doing it, don’t see dogs the same way as I do, and hopefully you do, their approach is totally different.

Stop, look, listen (yeah I know that’s the old “before you cross the road” one for kids)!

Stop.  Don’t immediately assume what you see/hear is true.  Think about it for a bit.

Look.  Watch and rewatch, without the sound if needed.  Look at the dog’s body language, really notice, slow down the video if you can.

Listen.  What is the trainer saying, really saying?  What language are they using to describe the dog and their behaviour?  Are they respectful or dismissive towards the dog?

Stop. Look. Listen.  Choose to follow and take advice from trainers who value dogs for the unique and amazing creatures they are, rather than those who see them as an inconvenience.