05/08/2025
This post comes after a lot of thought and deliberation. A client of mine recently read an online post, from a dog trainer, that seemed to belittle choices, just like hers, regarding the training of her dog. While the post was not aimed at my client at all, she still took away from the post that somehow she, and others like her, are at fault, if they choose to train their dogs a certain way either through specific training methods, trainers and/or dog shows.
The intention of my social media has always been, and remains, solely to share the successes of my clients, the work I do with my dogs and to actively promote positivity within the dog training world. I have the greatest and most fulfilling job working with all of my clients and this positivity is vitally important when training, so that owners and handlers feel supported and valued.
I’m lucky and exceptionally grateful to peers and colleagues who are like minded and supportive in what some people often describe as a somewhat toxic industry at times but that's not what this post is about. Instead, this post is about the way in which some trainers unconsciously put down and/or criticise the dog training decisions of others online, post veiled or cryptic criticism of other dog trainers, comment about the methods owners have invested in with another trainer, make snide remarks about the achievements the owners have had at a fun dog show, and/or an overall belittling attitude which might seem like ‘no nonsense’ talk but actually, having met new clients this past few weeks and hearing of their past training experiences, I’m quite insulted on their behalf, and disappointed for them.
So when you’re searching for a dog training instructor online, my advice would be to consider their attitude on social media toward other professionals first. If they can’t be nice toward each other on public platforms, why would their attitude toward their clients be any different?
Here at MNDT we are actively trying to change things; changing the mindset of so many trainers from 'I'm the only person who's right on this issue' to there is space for everyone in the dog training and handling sphere.
Here’s Fig to lighten the load
