In the dog world, it has never been easier to find advice. Social media feeds are full of confident voices, “quick fixes”, and dramatic before-and-after videos. TV personalities and content creators look convincing, charismatic, and skilled. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: popularity does not always equal quality — and it certainly does not guarantee ethical, science-based practice.
For dog owners, this matters more than ever. When you’re dealing with fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, the professional you choose to help you can shape the rest of your dog’s life. A well-qualified professional can protect welfare, reduce risk, and build lasting behaviour change. An unqualified one can make things worse.
So what should owners look for?
1. Accreditation, not just confidence
Accredited dog behaviourists and trainers have undergone rigorous assessment — not just an online test or a theory-only course. Reputable accrediting bodies, such as the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, etc., require practical evaluation of real-world skills, welfare-led methodologies, and solid understanding of behaviour science. This means the professional helping you has been independently checked, assessed, and held to high standards.
2. Membership in Professional Organisations and Commitment to ongoing learning (CPD)
Accreditation isn’t a badge you get once and keep forever. Ethical practitioners submit Continuing Professional Development every single year. They stay current with new research, new understanding of evolving best practice. Behaviour science moves quickly — your dog professional should too.
3. Accountability and ethics
Qualified professionals are bound by codes of conduct. That means transparency, humane methods, and putting welfare first.
4. A focus on welfare, not shortcuts
A promise of a “quick fix”, and dramatic online “transformation” might look impressive, but real behaviour change is about welfare, stress reduction, and emotional safety — not dominance narratives or suppression techniques. Accredited professionals work with the dog’s internal state, not just outward obedience.
Why this matters
Your dog’s behaviour is more than just a “content opportunity”, it’s about their wellbeing, their safety, and their emotional health. Choosing the right help has never been more important but also more difficult for dog owners. The dog world is full of noise, but qualified voices are there — trained, assessed, and dedicated to doing right by dogs and owners.
So always do your research and question your chosen trainer or behaviourist’s expertise. Qualified professionals often invest years — and thousands of pounds — in formal study, mentorships, and assessments, and they will be transparent about the courses they have completed, whether those courses involved practical assessment, who assessed them, their supervised experience. Vague statements like “I’ve been around dogs my whole life” are not enough for behaviour cases.
The other end of the spectrum: The “friendly” neighbourhood trainer
At the opposite end, there are the individuals who wake up one morning and decide they are now a dog trainer — no formal education, no assessed competence, and no accountability. We have all started somewhere, right? But are they transparent about their lack of experience and qualifications, their career aspirations, or are they just “winging it” and hoping for the best. They may mean well, and they may be great with their own dogs, but:
• being good with your own dog is not always the same as understanding behaviour
• confidence doesn’t always equal competence
• low-cost advice can become extremely expensive when things go wrong
• outdated or aversive methods can create fear, anxiety, and long-term fallout
• they are not required to stay current or follow ethical guidelines
Unfortunately, owners often come to qualified behaviourists after poor advice has made the problem worse.
Choosing an accredited professional means choosing:
✔ welfare-first methods
✔ evidence-based practice
✔ accountability
✔ depth of knowledge
✔ ongoing learning
✔ long-term results