29/11/2025
Iâve been part of the training and behaviour sector for nearly a decade now. Iâve seen so many professionals working tirelessly, studying, refining, advocating. And yet, when Iâm on the shop floor, I donât see a huge shift in how the general public understands dogs. In fact, Iâm seeing more confusion, more outdated ideas, and more disconnect than ever.
Itâs made me ask some uncomfortable questions.
Why, when weâre working so hard to get the message out, is it not landing where it matters most? Why are we still seeing dogs misunderstood, mislabelled, and mishandled in everyday life?
I think part of the answer is this: weâre stuck in an echo chamber.
As trainers and behaviourists, we tend to work with the people who already believe in what we do. The ones who seek us out. But thatâs a tiny slice of the community. And letâs be honest, many of us are priced out of reach for a large portion of the public. Weâve become a specialist service in a world that desperately needs general understanding.
And in our push for regulation and standards, important as that is, have we drifted into elitism? Have we climbed so high on our professional horses that weâve lost sight of whatâs happening on the ground?
Yes, we deserve to be paid well. Weâve poured years into education, spent thousands on CPD, and carry the emotional weight of care work. But âshouldâ isnât always reality. Nurses, carers, support staff, they all should earn more too. The truth is, care work has never been fairly valued in our society. Thatâs a fight worth having, but itâs a big one. And it needs a wider lens.
Personally, Iâve slashed my prices. Not because I donât value myself, but because I do. I want to reach the people who need help but canât afford it. I want to leave this world knowing I contributed, even in small ways. Thatâs selfish, in a way. When Iâm on my deathbed, I wonât be counting money, Iâll be remembering the moments I made a difference.
Now, Iâm not saying every professional should drop their rates. But maybe we can all ask: What can I give without expecting something back?
⢠A talk at a local school
⢠A free workshop at your library
⢠A few volunteer hours for a rescue
⢠Letting an aspiring ethical trainer shadow you
⢠Offering reduced rates for charities or community groups
Letâs stop being afraid of what others might âtakeâ from us. Letâs remember why weâre here in the first place: for the dogs and their humans. If money is your main driver, this probably isnât the job for you.
I have deep respect for the professionals in this field. But I do wonder, has our fight for regulation pulled us away from the places where real change happens?
Because change doesnât always start in policy. Sometimes, it starts in a pet shop. Or a school. Or a quiet conversation with someone whoâs never heard our message before.
Letâs not forget the ground we stand on.