Free advice? = Think twice.

Every dog trainer’s dilemma is being asked by every person under the sun for free advice which honestly falls on deaf ears. Strangers, family & friends alike.

I think about other professionals and how much people respect the boundaries with them. Understanding you want their help = book a consultation.

With dog trainers the lines are blurred.

My life is at the point I avoid bringing up my profession until I have to, and when I do I regret it 95% of the time because it tends to lead to the following statements:

• “OH I need to hire you my dog is terrible” (Proceeds to do nothing)

• “My dog does this: why?”

• “Oh good I’ve been wanting to get a new dog… can you tell me a good breeder?” (Proceeds not to listen and gets a backyard bred dog).

So what can we do as dog trainers to fight this?

We speak up & assert that we will give advice when they book a consultation. Simple solution: terribly difficult to carry out.

Boundaries are always uncomfortable initially, but with boundaries come a higher chance of resolve. Nothing ever changes if nothing is ever said.

A friend or family member should be able to accept this, and if they cannot it is on them not us.

Burnout and compassion fatigue leads to majority of dog trainers leaving the career, but if we can fight that through boundaries so we can keep going: I think it’s worth the uncomfortable discussions.

The reason for also saying “book a consult” means that if they do they are serious and want to listen. Investing means wanting a different outcome in how they want to live with their dogs: a lot less people invest highly in a trainer to just let it fall on deaf ears vs. the casual conversation with a person.

Understand your value and set those boundaries. It will be worth it.