The Brutal Truth of Dog Trainers

Written By: Zach Miller

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” - Henry Ford

In the world of dog training, there is a brutal truth that often goes unspoken. It is a truth that is as uncomfortable as it is undeniable. Many dog trainers, despite their love for animals and their dedication to their craft, are stuck in their ways, closed off to learning and teaching. This is a truth that needs to be addressed, not to criticize or condemn, but to inspire change and growth as the moment we cease learning, we cease growing and all else falls with it.

Dog training is a field that is constantly evolving. New techniques and methods are being developed, and scientific research is continually shedding light on the best ways to train and care for our canine companions. Yet, many trainers remain stubbornly rooted in their old ways, refusing to adapt or evolve. They cling to their tried-and-true methods, dismissing new ideas and approaches without giving them a fair chance. The “good old boys club” or “ribbon protectors” are some names attributed to this. While not all trainers are in these categories, we must address those who are in order to move forward.

This resistance to change is not just detrimental to the trainers themselves, but also to the dogs they train and the owners they serve. By refusing to learn and grow, these trainers are limiting their ability to provide the best possible service. They are also creating a divisive and hostile environment, where trainers put each other down for their methods rather than working together to improve and innovate. At the end of the day, it all comes down to those four paws staring up at you. Block out everything else, it comes down to the student and the teacher.

The dog training community should be a place of collaboration and mutual respect, where trainers share their knowledge and experiences for the benefit of all. Instead of tearing each other down, we should be lifting each other up, celebrating our successes and learning from our failures. We should be open to new ideas and willing to question our own methods, always striving to be better for the sake of the dogs we love. I become wary when I see nothing but ribbons and “finished products” on trainers' social media pages. Now, this is not saying we shouldn’t be proud of our achievements, but we must understand, as trainers… WE TRAIN. The road to the finished product should always be our focal point. Embrace the struggle, display the failures as they are what make the finished product mean that much more to us. 

The brutal truth is that change is hard. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to question our beliefs, and to face the possibility that we might be wrong. It is also necessary. Without change, there can be no growth, no progress, no improvement. In a field as important as dog training, where the well-being of our beloved pets is at stake, we cannot afford to grow stagnant. Get comfortable being uncomfortable and understand that you are not the smartest person in every room. Become a sponge that is always dry, constantly look for new things to learn and be open to listening as this is a lost art amongst our society. 

So, to all the dog trainers out there, let this be a call to action. Let us set aside our egos and our stubbornness, and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow. Let us be open to new ideas, willing to question our methods, and eager to share our knowledge. Let us strive not to be the best, but to be better, always pushing ourselves to improve for the sake of the dogs we train and for the love of God let’s not be afraid to turn around and help someone else out!

The brutal truth is that we are stuck in our ways. But the beautiful truth is that we have the power to change. We have the ability to grow, to learn, to improve. And in doing so, we can make the world of dog training a better place, not just for ourselves, but for the dogs we love and the owners we serve. In the end, it's not about who's right or who's wrong. It's not about whose method is better or whose technique is more effective. It's about coming together as a community, learning from each other, and working together to provide the best possible care for our canine companions. Because at the end of the day, that's what dog training is all about.

“Ego is a hell of a burden for a dog to carry.”