A growing body of research has shown that caregivers of dogs with problem behaviors (e.g. fearfulness, aggression, separation anxiety, panic disorders, or leash reactivity) often experience substantial stress, guilt, and reduced well-being.1 Coupled with that stress, caregivers often find themselves trying to sort through inconsistent guidance, uncensored or conflicting advice from the internet, and navigate the emotional and financial impacts of behavior modification itself. Dog trainers often become an integral source of support for these owners and, frequently, maintain ongoing, personal relationships with their clients for prolonged periods of time – weeks, months, or years. That sustained contact puts them in a unique position: not just to teach a "sit" or "stay" or to help modify a problem behavior, but to support owners through some of the most challenging and emotionally difficult periods of pet ownership. In addition to helping the dog, they also need to be sensitive to the person on the other end of the leash – they need to be mindful in their communication and avoid blame-based language, set realistic expectations for the owner, recognize the signs of caregiver distress, and validate the guilt so many owners carry.1,2
Research backs up just how important this role is. In one study, dog trainers were among the most commonly used and most helpful resources owners turned to for assistance. Veterinarians, while frequently consulted, were rated as less helpful than more specialized resources (e.g. board-certified veterinary behaviorists, medications, and dog trainers) by owners dealing with canine behavior problems.1 In other words, trainers aren't just shaping canine behavior, they're also the ones holding space for an owner's stress, fear, and guilt — often without formal preparation, support systems, or industry-wide standards to guide them. How does that responsibility impact the people doing this work? A new survey of dog trainers is being conducted by Colorado State University to find out. The goal is take a deeper look at the professional experiences of dog trainers including their work satisfaction and personal well-being. The survey will examine a variety of job-related factors including:
- The services trainers provide and scope of their day-to-day work
- Professional and client interaction challenges
- Stress, resilience and mental well-being
- Workplace support and resources
- Overall job satisfaction
Why does any of this matter? Dog trainers give owners something they often can't find anywhere else: a personalized, knowledgeable, consistent, and compassionate presence during a genuinely hard chapter of pet ownership. Until now, nobody has examined the well-being of these professionals. Findings from this study may help professional organizations and industry leaders better understand the challenges dog trainers face day to day, and lead to improved training and education programs, workplace policies that support dog trainer well-being, stronger support systems across the field, and improved mental health resources for trainers.
This survey closes on August 10, 2026! If you're a dog trainer, your perspective is important and needed to support this research! The survey is anonymous, takes just 10 minutes to complete, and can be accessed here.
References:
1. Beyond the Behavior: Caregiver Guilt, Burden, and Well-Being Among Owners of Dogs with Behavior Problems. Kogan et al. Pets 2026, 3(2), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/pets3020022
2. Dog training-related guilt: Prevalence and associations with owner demographics and self-compassion. Kogan et al. Human-Animal Interactions (2025) 13:1, 0043. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2025.0043
×
