Mass Exodus of Dog Trainers leaving the Dog Training Industry and Why I'm Joining Them

If you're a dog lover and spend any amount of time on Social Media lately, you've likely accidentally stumbled onto the battlefield of the Training Wars between Dog Trainers. It's no secret that the industry has been dog-eat-dog for quite some time, with different camps taking sides and invoking Cancel Culture on everyone that has a difference of opinion or methodology than their own. ThIs TrAiNeR uSeS pRoNgS aNd ShOcK cOlLaRs. FoRcE fReE dOeSnT eXisT. BlAh BlAh BlAh. The list goes on... and on... and on. It's a game of He Said, She Said compounded by Ego. And now the industry camps have turned on their own. If a trainer isn't purely positive enough, if a trainer uses the wrong tools, or if a trainer even dares associate with another trainer that is controversial or that has been canceled by the masses, then they must be as well. It's fucking tiresome at best and cannibalistic at worst. Just. Stop. Already. We are losing GREAT trainers because of this in-fighting bullshit. Our industry is a MESS, from the organizations, to training schools, to those Internet Trainers and TikTok Trainers causing shitstorm after shitstorm after shitstorm. Then you've got these training companies that are selling subpar products as Training Guides and Manuals, promising quick fixes and Service-Dog level obedience in DAYS, which sets clients up for unrealistic expectations of service from our legitimate trainers with experience and know-how. Influencers like Dog Daddy that are abusive and manipulative as hell but "get results" so they amass a following because it LOOKS like he solved the behavioral issue (but only causes a new one by suppressing the behavior). Joe Schmo who decides he can train any dog simply because he owns one without ever educating himself first, or mentoring under someone who knows what they're doing. Trainers with God Complexes allowing their Ego to rule as a tyrant would. And don't even get me started on the coaching industry... Trainers that have failed businesses starting coaching businesses to train other dog trainers how to run their business. People with zero background in dogs or dog training, but that have business 'skillz' that start up coaching companies to train dog trainers on running successful dog training businesses, not realizing the unique complexities of marketing and niche within our industry. "Coaches" that just scam others out of money but don't provide any service whatsoever. And then there's the clients. We live in an Immediate Results or Else Society, where I want it and I want it NOW! is prevalent. This is largely aided by the TikTok Trainers and Social Media Trainers who only show the Before & Afters but not the journey it took to get there, or they just abuse the dog until it submits and shuts down and then call it "Fixed." What has this done? What has all of this created? A mass exodus of trainers leaving the industry, some for good, some temporarily, due to the extreme amounts of stress and fatigue being placed on their shoulders. Running a business is hard enough as it is, but then throw demanding clients, clients that don't do the work or invest the time, clients that want you to hold their hand every step of the way or do it for them, the stress of marketing, sales, content creation, website updates, administrative work, finances, equipment investments, growth plans, people that don't respect personal boundaries, that call multiple times back to back, or at all hours of the day or night even on your days off, other trainers criticizing your lack of social proof, or when you do post videos of your training they criticize every facet imaginable, dog owners with no training background telling you you're abusive if you use a prong or an eCollar, dog food diets "backed by science" that have subpar ingredients contributing to health decline and behavioral issues in the dogs you train, people pushing meds onto dogs instead of investing into training....the list goes on and on, and it's a lot to deal with. And then you throw everything else on top of it, too. The fighting, the bickering, the cancel culture, the clients, the economy, the mental health aspect.... It's too much. And it's why I am leaving, too. Because I value myself, my sanity, and my health (both physical and mental) more than the bullshit this industry is producing right now. I love the dogs. I love training... but I'm tired. Many of us trainers are tired. So if you have a good trainer that is still in the industry at the moment, be sure to value them and let them know that they are valued. Do your homework. Schedule your lessons. Be on time. Don't be a flake. Don't waste their time or your own. We have invested thousands into our craft- and it absolutely is a craft! The education, the seminars, the certifications, the travel, the conferences, the time spent perfecting our leash skills, crafting lesson plans, cleaning up urine, poop, and vomit, scrubbing kennels and bowls, celebrating the wins with each dog we put hands on, the tears we cry when a client passes away.... We are people too, and we are tired. I may eventually return to the training world, but for now, my focus is on other avenues that I can make a difference in the lives of the pets I love helping. Through nutrition consultations, through animal aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, and veterinary medicine. I am actually excited for this part of my journey, and eager to see how it progresses. I'm already noticing a difference in my mental health, and I cannot wait to see what comes from this path moving forward. Thank you for your support. It's been a ride. Onto better things.