The Dog Trainer’s Dilemma: What to Do When People Ask You for Free Advice

Aug 7, 2015
3 min read

CanineLink graduates celebrate after months of training

By Jamie Damato Migdal, CEO and Pet Industry Entrepreneur

A professional in any field soon realizes that complete strangers often have no compunction whatsoever about soliciting advice well beyond what you should be expected to give in a casual social setting.

Don’t get me wrong – I am always happy to find teaching moments that can help both pets and their people, but at a certain point being asked for advice starts to feel less like a sharing opportunity and more like a shakedown.

Certainly I have had conversations with acquaintances who are doctors and lawyers and accountants during which I have asked them for referrals and resources, but it’s pretty generally acknowledged that asking them for a full-blown, off the cuff consultation is very bad form. At best, it’s wildly inconsiderate to put people in a position where you’re expecting them to give you possibly life-altering advice without access to the proper diagnostic tools.

However, if you’re a dog trainer, this happens All. The. Time. Random people routinely ask us to come up with an entire training plan based solely on their puppy’s age and breed. I think that a large part of the problem is that many people don’t see “dog trainer” as a real career. It’s true that we don’t go through years of medical or law school; it’s also true that plenty of trainers hang out their shingles without knowing very much about canine behavior or scientifically-based training methods. What most people don't know is how many hours (years!) that responsible trainers put into both their formal and hands-on training.

But times, they are a-changin’, and the pet industry as a whole is making a concerted move toward more meaningful standards and certifications. The recently-formed Professional Animal Care Certification Council, headed up by Susan Briggs of The Dog Gurus, is at the forefront of the drive toward greater professionalization across the industry. I hope that as the industry becomes (and is perceived as) more professional, the number of people who expect you to work for free will begin to drop.

In the meantime - what is a “best practices” response when you’re asked for training advice for a dog you’ve never met that belongs to a person you barely know? You empower them, firmly-compassionately-professionally, to find the resources that can help them with their particular issues:

Puppies - Direct them to Ian Dunbar’s free puppy books, send links to Sophia Yin’s Perfect Puppy in 7 Days and Paul Owens' The Puppy Whisperer, and give them the name of a reputable dog walking company that offers puppy packages to keep housetraining on track.

Rescue dogs – Send a link to Patricia McConnell’s Love Has No Age Limits (also good for senior dogs), tell them about the excellent A Sound Beginning program, and remind them that many dog training companies and shelters have reduced rates for rescue dogs.

Senior dogs – Steer them to the Grey Muzzle Organization website, and direct them to any of Lisa Rodier’s blog posts or articles dealing with special considerations for older dogs. For a good omnibus volume on senior dog issues and treatments, Your Dog’s Golden Years by Jennifer Kachnic is a great resource.

Behavioral issues - Send a link to DogStarDaily.com and the ASPCA, and offer the name of a good veterinary behaviorist. If you live in Chicago, refer them to Kristin Buller’s workshops for people who love pets with behavioral problems.