Norwich Dog Training School Best Choice Trainers

Best Choice for Dog Trainers in Norwich

A great friend of mine once coined the phrase:

 ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’….     (Doris Ware, Circa 1980)                                                

I have never been a great fan of ‘dog dealers’ or those trying to make big business out of dog training for a number of reasons which . Which I will now try to explain:

Over the years I have been hugely indebted to some of my great friends – who whether they like it or not; have surreptitiously influenced both the way that I think and to a large part, the way that I train. None have had a greater influence on me than my dear departed friend Doris Ware. Whose energy and passion I still hold dear to this day. I can fondly recount countless memories, as though it was just yesterday. Doris bless her, had a way with words and my memories and endless stories always brings a smile to my face.

Doris was a well-known locally across the ‘dog scene’, as a driven canine personality who was responsible for organising, running, judging countless Dog Shows in the Norfolk region. To this end she raised thousands of pounds for Charities, besides being a well-known and loved obedience and ringcraft trainer the Norwich area. Amongst her busy schedule, she organised trips abroad for ‘us locals’ to some of the largest European and World Dog Shows to widen our perspectives. Little did she know then, but Doris steered my canine career from being just a hobby to where it is  now. Doris was a larger-than-life character, who dedicated much of her spare time to help countless people that were struggling with their dogs, while holding down a senior position within the insurance industry. No mean task.

To say Doris was a bright cookie was an understatement; she had so many sayings formulated through out her life in dogdom which she could quickly and athletically draw upon to shut down any individual, who was too ‘big for their boots’. Who dared to intellectually challenge her, regarding her favourite subject ‘Dogs’. However, thankfully this didn’t happen very often for it was plain to see – she had a lifetime of skills and experiences, she could draw upon to handle every situation.

Perhaps the most pertinent proverb I can remember coming from Doris’s lips was the phrase quoted above ‘a little knowledge is a dangerous thing’. This is something I’ve learned to appreciate, more and more over the years, and I feel is more relevant today, than ever. As the ‘Canine World’ appears to resonate with individuals who have only been around for a short time, having completed an online course or visited a trainer or two and now believe, they’re more than qualified to cash in on the ‘dog industry’. Most seem to have dreams of making ‘big money’, while having little empathy or understanding of the dogs themselves.

In today’s ‘Dog eat dog World’, people these days seem to want instant gratification, ‘wanting everything, right here, right now’ without taking the time to acquire the skills and knowledge which most enthusiasts gain overtime and through experience. What’s also prevalent is that so many seem incapable of independent thought or the desire to gain real-world experience. Believing it should be simply handed to them on a plate or purchased. Many just study YouTube; read a few books or shadow a trainer or two. Countless follow the more underhand method of surreptitiously, seeking help with a dog of their own dog (or a friends) and attend classes or have a few 1-2-1 lessons, but truthfully have aspirations to plagiarise and sell on. Perhaps not so surprising these days are the number of budding trainers, that are even too lazy to even do this. Choosing to follow one of the numerous online training platforms. Whereby the owner(s) of the platform, has seen the opportunity to make some big bucks by offering online crash courses. Where once completed, the would-be trainer can naively reach for the sky, embarking on a career in dog training. In this technological age, many seem to be armed with little more than an electronic collar, and think they have this ‘training thing’ all wrapped up, as they set themselves up by drawing in business through exploiting social media.

Many of these technology reliant trainers, seem to be totally oblivious to the fact that within the UK, there are some very powerful lobbyist groups, who have made it their ambition to outlaw this technology (already banned in Wales), and almost succeeded in February 2024. But no doubt in time, their ambitions will undoubtedly be met. While there is an argument for this technology to be used as last resort (after all else has failed) for some situations. There is a growing collegiate of trainers, who favour the technology as their favourite go to resource, as it’s a quick and easy route to follow (for themselves). Whereby the technology is utilised for even the simplest of tasks, and dam the consequences should things go wrong. After all they can always find another dog on which to practice. The more ardent e-collar trainers will spend literally thousands on the most expensive, covert technology to hide the fact that they’re reliant on the technology. Often using wide colourful collars to disguise the electronics hidden beneath, while employing covert finger controllers to conceal remote-control handsets. Some have phone apps that can remotely change the collar from vibrate to stim (shock).

While most seasoned trainers, realise what the technology can be used for – most resist it, except as a last resource, since the technology is generally considered to be a form of ‘cheating’. Accepting that most dogs, are trained as a hobby or for fun; having more empathy for their animals than quick fix trainers. The unfortunate consequence for animals trained this way is that they are devoid of the ‘natural look’ of a working dog, and appear to be robotic. Of real concern for dedicated breeders – is whether the dog(s) they considering to use as part of their breeding program, truly carry the ‘working genes’ they are looking for or whether they are indeed manufactured by technology. But as we’ve already allured to – arguably the technology has it is place as a last resort for some dogs, under certain circumstances (e.g. livestock killers), but it’s not really within the remit of those who train for ‘fun’ or as a ‘sport’.    

Easy money   

I’m a firm believer that the driver for quick financial success is down to the ease and speed with which some ‘media influencers’ seem to get rich quick – almost overnight or so it seems. When you compare this to the long-term commitment and hard graft most of us undergo with more ‘normal’ jobs. But then again, let’s face it, most people don’t have the aspirations or the need (or greed) for a brand-new Roller. Being more content with getting by; having not been fortunate enough to win the lottery or the benefit of wealthy parents to grease the wheels. For as they say, ‘money goes to money’.

As I’m sure you’re already aware, YouTube, Facebook and the other portals,  directly and indirectly encourage ‘budding influencers’ to place copious amounts video on their platforms on just about any topic you can imagine. From the useful to the obscure to even the dam right stupid. Topics which are copied time and time again by countless ‘influencers’ that are in the main so similar, that there’s hardly a cigarette paper’s difference between them. All this is done in an effort to reach the holy grail of achieving the coveted ‘viral’ viewing. To enables the ‘influencer’ to claim ‘celebrity’, and sit to back and watch the money come flooding in.

If you’ve been around for as long as me, you cannot but notice, that in recent years the ‘dog industry’ has become more commercial than ever. Whether it’s dog food, merchandise, veterinary care, grooming services, training or breeding – you name it… Unfortunately, in its wake, countless dogs have suffered at an alarming rate. All you have to do is to look at the way vet fees have soared in recent times. Or consider the empirical evidence in relation to the ‘XL Bully’ mania which is tantamount as what can go horribly wrong, when unscrupulous people create a demand for an animal, that sensibly doesn’t have a rightful place in today’s society. For very few sensible people, would ever really want the risks associated with having a fighting dog, sitting in their living room, playing in front of the fire with their young children.

Long gone are the days of fighting with dogs which was outlawed back in 1835 (but is sadly still carried out underground, by those who live in the criminal world). So it truly beggar’s belief, why thousands of ‘pet owners’ would really want a dog with a gladiator heritage. But as everyone knows – the UK is full of people that want the latest fashion accessory or desire a dog to intimidate others with. Craving an animal that makes them ‘look hard’ or feeds their ego. On the other side of the coin, there will always be idealists that will try to dispel canine reputations or prove to themselves or others, that there’s ‘no such thing as a bad dog’. And while the majority maybe be fine (‘to some degree’). It doesn’t get away from the fact, that a large number will fall into the hands of the ‘wrong people’ – who will acquire these animals for the reasons given, and this is where it all goes horribly wrong with tragic consequences.

Popularity Destroys

History, time and time again, repeats itself; the ‘herd instinct’ of the masses causing untold damage to once useful breeds. Which through no fault of their own have become ‘fashionable’ for all the wrong reasons. All one has to do is look at the history of the German Shepherd, Dobermann, Rottweiler and the on-going saga with XL bully – now that the commercial bubble has burst to realise just where this goes. Where uncountable, irresponsible dealers jumped onto the commercial ‘band wagon’ to breed and sell on poorly bred animals to thousands of people. Only to witness it go full circle with the same dealers becoming so desperate to dispose of their ‘stock’ by whatever means, now that their ‘cash cow’ has died. The ‘breeds’ brief history has been well documented, having been infiltrated by organised criminals, juxtaposed with all the complications this brings. Now, these self-same, unscrupulous dealers are looking for the next big thing, as ‘influencers’ talk up the next craze from which they can profit. Whether it’s the Cane Corso; Dutch, Belgian Shepherd; Chinese Red Dog; Boerboel or their respective mixes or yet another newly created ‘type’ being given a ‘designer name’ in an attempt to justify their existence. Whether it’s the Bandog, Alaunt or Canis Panther. The old fashioned term ‘mongrel or Heinz 57’ has long lost favour with the buying public. Potential buyers would undoubtedly shy away from paying vast sums for such dogs described as such – they require a macho name that conjures up an image to hood wink buyers to desire them.

This calculated marketing is often carried out by deceitful individuals, whose dogs are often no more than genetic Canine Frankenstein, riddled with character defects or health issues. Since very few, if any ‘dog dealers’ have a doctorate in genetic engineering, produce these animals without carrying out any recognised health checks on the parents or their offspring. The sad fact of life is that most of these animals with dubious characters will end up being sold or rescued by ‘typical’ families living in flats or houses with small gardens. Whose owners in the main, will all too often fail to train and exercise their animals properly. And herein lies the caveat – yet another ticking time bomb for the next canine disaster, that will undoubtedly keep the ‘authorities’ – the police, hospitals, vets, media, insurers, lawyers and Government busy for a long time to come. So arguably, unless the Government brings in some real, sensible and proper licensing with controls focusing on not only who breeds, owns and what the dogs are used for. Then just like ‘Ground Hog Day’ these problems will continue to occur again and again.  

Commercial, Corporate, Franchise Dog Trainers

The drive for quick and big profits is spilling over to dog training. In years gone by, the dog trainers of tomorrow, spent years training dogs at clubs; entering competitions and learning from others before developing techniques of their own. Most had no real intention to use the skills acquired to build training businesses; this was done as a hobby, for fun, a sport or passion. However, what appears to be happening today, shows strong correlations to the invention to the term ‘celebrity’ or ‘influencer’ generated through the channels of YouTube, Facebook TikTok and TV which has directly caused a scramble for many to want to become dog trainers. Perceiving it as a way to achieve ‘fame and fortune’, rather than following a passion. What is being witnessed today is that so manly so-called trainers, have become ‘dog dealers’, trying to make embarrassing amounts money for little effort. Selling ‘trained dogs’ to a public that cannot be bothered to put in the time and effort to acquire the animals they desire or to even train them; whether pets or working dogs.

Many dogs are purchased to give their owners a certain amount of perceived kudos, when boasting to friends in the pub, that their dog has been trained for ‘this or that’ to swell their ego. Often these animals are cheap imports; dogs that have been trained or partly trained overseas (by whatever means) to give the dealer a quick profit. Masses are animals that failed to make the grade in their homeland, whether for reasons of health, beauty or perceived working ability by their ‘original’ trainer or dealer; consequently they’re moved quickly on, no questions asked. Dogs that were effectively ‘binned’ in their homeland are easily sold on to dealers in the UK in what is a very lucrative business. Sadly, but it is a matter of fact; many of these dealers have little compassion for the animals, viewing them as nothing more than disposable stock, that can be bought and sold in much the same way, farmers send off their animals to the market or abattoir. Once out of sight, they’re out of mind apart from the cash that remaining in the dealer’s hand. To emphasis the point, during a related discussion with a good friend of mine asked, ‘how much would I sell my dog for?’ to which I replied ‘he’s priceless’, his response was – ‘that’s precisely it; good dogs are rarely available; people only sell on the dogs, they don’t want’.

In relatively recent years, more and more ‘Dog Training Businesses’ have popped up every where, selling dogs to all and sundry, and to the highest bidder. Charging anything from a few hundred to many thousands of pounds (if they can get it). Wealthy individuals, desperate to get the ‘next thing’, but often lacking the knowledge, skills, patience, time or effort – waft large sums of cash before these hungry dealers’ eyes. Many of whom, would have little hesitation in selling off close family members, let alone a dog which is unlikely to be given a second thought. These businesses buy in large quantities from overseas, in the hope of turning them around quickly for profit. Many businesses have multiple trainers to manage the countless supply of dogs they seek to move on. Some of these businesses (as they need to make ‘big profits’ fast to fund their ‘army’ of employees), typically seek additional income from boarding, day care, puppies, residential training, grooming, exercise parks, equipment, vet care etc. As they attempt to lure those, who prefer the ‘corporate dog business’ or the ‘one stop shop’, rather than using people offering more specific services.  

Countless people within the ‘industry’ are trying to corporatize dog training itself, by charging silly amounts of money for what is being offered. Whether selling on trained pet dogs; security dogs; gundogs etc. There are those that don’t have kennel facilities, but still try to compete, by offering services where your dog lives with them in their home. But more realistically, it will be with one of their ‘associates’, who will board your animal and spend a little time training it for a cool £1,500 or £2,000 or so a week. Norwich Dog Training School doesn’t offer any of these services, and you may wish to read our blog on ‘Residential Dog Training’ for the reasons why.

With the proliferation of the internet, countless training associations have evolved offering budding trainers the ‘opportunity’ to follow one of their, online courses for a fee, and upon completion receive their ‘special accreditation’. Some offer ‘associate’ memberships for which the ‘student’ pays for the privilege and some selected businesses offer mentoring services to help increase customer flow with online or telephone help – should the trainer be dumbfounded as to what to do. Some training businesses, offer an almost off the shelf template for websites with numerous ‘photo bank’ images, rather than ‘real client photos’. Enabling their ‘client trainer’ that follows their ideology’ to hit the ground running without having to think too much. All in all, it’s quite frightening that so many people these days, need so much hand holding, when it comes to training or running their own dog businesses, while they trade their services. Some trainers these days, even appear to be operating under a type of franchise service or at the very least, plagiarise someone else’s model.  

Many of these businesses set themselves up as limited companies, as they try to get bigger and bigger. Which raises the question of – who is really helping you to train your dog? The person before you, or someone else hidden away or a remote trainer?

At NDTS my aspiration to train dogs has never come from an ambition to make lots of money by ‘corporatizing our dog training service’. In my previous careers, I’ve spent so many years within the corporate sector – so I’m fully aware of its pitfalls and downsides, especially in when it comes to the chains of communication, and the lack of importance for the individual – which is why we offer a personal service. My hobby has always been dog training with a few occasional shows and competitions thrown in ‘to keep my eye in’ so to speak, including Championship breed shows and World level Championship Competition. But for me, this is not my real goal – since ‘once you’ve done it, you’ve done it’ and anything else is a just repetition – ‘Ground Hog Day’. Overtime this has evolved to become Norwich Dog Training School, created from a desire, love and interest in dogs over many years. The most important ‘thing’ for me is the enjoyment, fun, companionship and love dogs have brought to my life for well over 49 years. To typify, one of the best parts of canine companionship is that best exemplified by the following story. A few weeks ago, my wife went out for the evening with her friends, she left me and the ‘boys’ at home to do whatever we wanted. On went the TV, the dogs jumped onto the sofa, and we had a boys night in watching ‘The Walking Dead’ (the wife hates it) with a pint of cider and a packet of crisps. For me, this simple pleasure, and ‘really life doesn’t get much better than this’ – me and the boys, chilling out in front of the box.

What we are seeing today within the ‘dog industry’ is that thousands of people are out there, trying to get rich quick, not so much for the love of dogs, its more about whether their dog makes them look good – and they’ll utilise almost any thing to achieve it – and woefully, if the ‘dog fails’ then it goes. Just check out social media, all too often the most important element is feeding the trainers Ego. Enabling them to try and convince other people that they’re the best for whatever reason. ‘Corporatizing their businesses’ which can so often show strong correlations to pyramid selling. Just checkout social media to see what we mean. All we can simply say is ‘What ever happened to individuality?….’ at Norwich Dog Training School this is what we aim to deliver.