The Blog
Insights & Education
Science, business, and practice — written for professionals who want to keep growing.
A Positive Trainer Changed His Mind on E Collars. It Made Me Revisit Mine.
Some reward based trainers are reconsidering e collars. Rather than pretending they do not work, I wanted to look at the harder questions around necessity, welfare, predation, trainer skill and what the evidence actually allows us to say.
By Nando Brown
Dog Trainer Regulation: It Sounds Simple Until You Try to Write the Rules
Singapore has written minimum standards for dog trainers. The UK is still talking about it. Here is why writing the rules is the hard part.
By Nando Brown
How to Become a Dog Trainer in the UK: The Complete Guide
So, you want to become a dog trainer?
By Dean Nicholas
What Equipment Do I Need to Be a Dog Trainer?
If you're thinking about becoming a dog trainer, you might be wondering what equipment you actually need to get started.
By Dean Nicholas
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be a Dog Trainer in the UK?
What qualifications do you need to be a dog trainer in the UK? Learn the legal requirements, what accreditation really means, and how to choose the right dog training education.
By Dean Nicholas
How Much Do Dog Trainers Earn in the UK?
How much do dog trainers earn in the UK? Employed dog trainers average around £28,500 a year, while self-employed trainers often charge £30–£80+ per hour.
By Dean Nicholas
Do Dog Trainers Need a DBS Check in the UK?
Do dog trainers need a DBS check in the UK? Learn the DBS requirements for self-employed dog trainers, home visits, vulnerable clients and working with children.
By Dean Nicholas
Do Dog Trainers Need a Degree in the UK?
Do you need a degree to become a dog trainer in the UK? No — you don't even legally need a formal qualification. But here's why theory and practical training both matter.
By Dean Nicholas
Do I Need a Licence to Be a Dog Trainer?
Do you need a licence to be a dog trainer? Learn when dog training needs no licence and when day training, boarding or residential services may require one.
By Dean Nicholas
Do I Need Insurance to Be a Dog Trainer in the UK?
Do you legally need insurance to be a dog trainer in the UK? Public liability, care, custody and control, professional indemnity — and the questions to ask your insurer.
By Dean Nicholas
What Does “Accredited” Actually Mean in Dog Training?
Accreditation is one of the most effective words in education marketing because it does a lot of work before anyone asks what it actually means.
By Nando Brown
Why Good R+ Dog Training Is So Fucking Boring to Watch
TikTok trainers, TV trainers and the uncomfortable difference between being good on camera and being good with dogs.
By Nando Brown
BSL, Behaviour and Household Risk: What the Evidence Actually Says
Scotland's new supervision rule for prohibited types, what the science actually says about breed and bite, and how to run a defensible household risk plan.
By Nando Brown
Protection Sport Does Not Need Silence. It Needs Standards.
A working Mondioring decoy on the AVD e.V. trial near Slough, the reports circulating in the working dog world, and why the sport needs standards, not silence.
By Nando Brown
5 things I WISH more people knew before becoming a dog trainer…
Dog training can be an amazing industry, but there are a few things people often underestimate before they step into the work. Here are my top 5!!!!
By Dean Nicholas
Should You Shave Your Dog in Summer?
What every dog owner needs to know before reaching for the clippers — and what the thermal science actually shows.
By Nando Brown
Following the Paperwork: David Montgomery's Regulation Blog Doesn't Add Up
A blog warning trainers about Defra reform has been doing the rounds. We pulled the public records. Here's what they actually show.
By Nando Brown
Why Hand Feeding Belongs at the Foundation of Your Training Cases
Hand feeding isn't a gimmick — it's a foundational tool that shapes engagement, relationship, and learning from day one.
By Nando Brown
You're Not a Positive Reinforcement Trainer
The label gets thrown around constantly — but what does the science actually say about how you're using reinforcement?
By Nando Brown
Is It Possible to Become a Dog Trainer Through Online Courses?
Online education has transformed professional development — but can it really produce competent, capable dog trainers?
By Nando Brown
Best Dog Training Certification Programmes Near You
Not all certifications are created equal. Here's how to evaluate programmes and choose one that actually moves your career forward.
By Nando Brown
Why Suppressing Dog Behaviour Doesn't Work (And What to Do Instead)
Suppression hides the symptom but leaves the cause untouched. Here's the science of why — and what effective practice looks like.
By Nando Brown
Understanding Canine Stress Signals in Practice
Most trainers can list stress signals. Few can read them in real-time during a session. Here's how to close that gap.
By Nando Brown
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