The Missing Dog Pro Skill
Delores Carter 
Better client communication helps dog pros reduce stress, keep clients engaged, and create lasting change for dogs.
The Missing Dog Pro Skill
One of the things that motivates dog pros to learn new skills is helping more dogs. And, let’s be honest, we dog pros love learning about dogs – all the dog stuff! Most of us feel energized when we work with dogs or pick up new skills and techniques for working with them.
But what about working with people? Often, dog pros tell me they got into dog training because they liked dogs more than people, wanted to improve dogs’ lives, or just because training dogs is fun. I became a dog pro because I wanted to be the voice for the voiceless and help homeless dogs find forever homes. Notice that helping or working with people isn’t mentioned in that list.
Connecting with People = Helping Dogs
Guess who has access to dogs in need of our help? That’s right – people. People who feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to handle their dogs need dog pros to help them. People who adopt a dog that’s more challenging than they expected need help from a dog pro. People and their dogs who are going through major life changes need the services of a dog pro. People adopting a dog for the first time need advice from a dog pro. In short, people need dog pros just as much as dogs do. But, where, in all the training and ongoing education, do dog pros learn the skills to work effectively with the people and their dogs who need help?
People often are in the dark when looking for a dog pro. They do an internet search, ask friends and family, or visit their favorite social media site for guidance. When I talk to clients, one thing I hear is that they’ve been to other trainers, but it didn’t work out. As we chat, I try to understand why the previous trainer (or trainers) weren’t a good fit. When I started as a dog pro, I assumed people changed trainers because of training philosophy. To my surprise, that was rarely the case. The three main reasons people tell me they switch dog pros are: 1) the trainer made me feel guilty; 2) the training didn’t help us; and 3) I/we couldn’t fit the homework into our schedule. Still, these same people reached out for help, even after their first (or second or third) attempt at working with a dog pro. They are looking for a dog pro who will take the time to listen, meet them where they are, and offer practical solutions. In other words, they want a dog pro who is a good communicator and a competent trainer.
Good Communication Opens Doors and Creates Partnerships
Good client communication opens the door for you, as a dog pro, to access the dogs you want to help. Like any other skill, effectively engaging with your client can be learned. But why bother? Simple. When you and your client communicate well, your client is more willing to implement your training plans, the dog’s life improves, and YOUR stress decreases. When dog pros feel less client-related stress, they have more energy to focus on more dogs, which is their mission.
Effective client communication is essential for building strong partnerships. When clients feel like we’re a team and see us as genuinely committed to helping them, they’re more likely to follow through with your training plan. They’ll also honestly share how things are going (e.g., we did the homework, or we mostly did, or this week was chaotic at work and we didn't do any homework). They’re motivated to stay on track or recover when life gets complicated. Strong client relationships make it more likely that clients will stay with us longer, ensuring the dog’s success at home.
3 Ways to Improve Client Communication
Like you, I want to see more dogs living their best lives and fewer dogs abandoned. I have certifications, certificates, and many CEUs from courses I’ve taken that make me a better-educated dog professional. We need to keep educating ourselves to stay competent and knowledgeable about animal welfare best practices. Investing in our client communication will give us better access to help the dogs we care about.
I’ve created a mini-course for dog pros who want to improve their client communication - 3 Ways to Improve Client Communication. This four-part series tackles common communication issues and offers simple solutions that can immediately improve your client conversations. For a limited time, access is free. I want every dog pro to have great relationships with their clients so they can get better results and feel less stress.