What Our Dog Trainers Learned In 2025

The end of the year is upon us – and as always when we approach the end of December, it is a chance for reflection on what we have learned throughout the previous 12 months. This doesn’t just apply in a personal context – as dog trainers, every dog we work with can teach us new things about the world of dog training. In this spirit, we asked our team to tell us one thing they have learned during 2025.

"There is no one way of teaching a dog something."

– Tabor Tiffany, Highland Canine Training’s professional dog trainer in Rifle, CO.

“There is no black and white when it comes to dog training. There is no one way of teaching a dog something. When setting up a new client’s training program, I ensure that I meet the owner and dog before I can come up with a plan of action. Each dog that enters one of my training programs has a different reason for being there – some may have aggression issues, while others may be there just so they can learn to reliably be off-leash. As you can probably assume, these two cases need a different approach, however, would you believe me if I said that even two dogs learning to be off-leash could take two different routes of getting there.”

“Two dogs with similar issues could have completely different personalities, whereas two dogs with the same type of personality may have two completely different issues. As a trainer, it is important for me to ensure that I can adjust my types of training to every case scenario, I need to be able to change my methods even during a session if something doesn’t go to plan.

During 2025, I have learned how to think fast and come up with solutions to problems right away. I have learned that not one method works for every dog and it is important to learn as much as I possibly can about every different style of training and come up with something that will work for each and every dog that crosses my path.”

"Effective training doesn’t start with a command - it starts with an honest conversation."

– Anayla Fontán Núñez, Highland Canine Training’s professional dog trainer in Puerto Rico.

“2025 has been a year of tremendous personal and professional growth. It was a year filled with challenges, but also one that brought clarity about the kind of trainer I want to be. As a dog trainer, I’ve always believed that my main mission is to help dogs, especially those with behavior issues. But this year taught me something even more important: to truly help a dog, I must first connect deeply with their guardians.

I learned that listening, observing, and understanding each family’s context completely transforms the training process. When I take the time to get to know a client’s life, their routines, concerns, limitations, and expectations, I can see a clearer picture of the dog.

And from there, I can develop a plan that not only improves the dog’s behavior but also strengthens the relationship they share.

This year, I discovered that effective training doesn’t start with a command, it starts with an honest conversation. Going deeper into the guardians’ daily lives has helped me better understand the origin of many behaviors, and it has also shown me that every family needs a different type of support.

In summary, 2025 taught me that I don’t just train dogs, I train teams, and for that team to work, I must first connect with the human side.”

"Being able to identify problems in mobility can help prevent any issues from getting worse."

– David Hamblin, Highland Canine Training’s professional dog trainer in Roanoke, VA.

“Here is one thing I learned this year that I feel has been a huge asset in understanding a
problem that could be inhibiting a dog’s progress in training or could be an issue in the future.

My wife is an equine and canine bodyworker. Being exposed to her work and discussions has made me aware of mobility and physical problem areas in dogs.

Recently, while working with a Rottweiler mixed puppy, I noticed when the puppy was running, his front legs were doing most of the work – almost like a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The more I watched, I could see a back leg wasn’t quite right. I spoke with the client about it, and after further investigation, it was discovered there were issues with the ball and socket of the hip, causing the dog to not use that leg as intended. The signs of this issue were subtle, but because of what I have learned, I could see the dog was not loading on the leg like he should.

Being able to identify problems in mobility can help prevent any issues from getting worse and adjust training as needed.”

“There are several ways to work with dog-on-dog aggression.”

– Gabriella Fred, Highland Canine Training’s professional dog trainer based in Winston-Salem, NC.

“I learned that there are several different ways to work with dog-on-dog aggression. I also learned more on reading dog behaviors.”

“I learned just how much of a community I had built."

– Marlene Ruiz, Highland Canine Training’s professional dog trainer in Charlotte, NC.

“Building a relationship with my clients and their dogs has always come naturally to me. When I’ve trained a dog from puppyhood, through adolescence and then adulthood, I have also built a bond of trust with my human client in the process. In 2025, I learned just how much of a community I had built when I relocated from Miami to Charlotte. Some clients were sad to see me go, but most were supportive and encouraging. I still get messages from previous clients checking up on me and letting me know that they (and their dog) miss me. Many of them have gotten together and created their own pack walks or have attended doggy events together! I hope to bring that same sense of community to dog owners in Charlotte!”

"The experience has better prepared me to help and support future clients."

– Megan Gerber, Highland Canine’s professional dog trainer in Atlanta, GA.

“Back in January, we rescued a puppy who turned out to have a significant case of separation anxiety. While I knew the process to work through it, living through the process brought a whole new appreciation of the challenges it poses to the people. There was trial and error in finding the right formula to help my personal dog overcome his separation anxiety. We got through it just like I knew we would but not without some bumps and sleepless nights along the way. Having gone through it really drove home the impact it has on the lives of the owners. I feel the experience has better prepared me to help and support future clients as they navigate the process.”

"It helped me reconnect with my clients on a deeper, more empathetic level."

– Brandi Wallwork, professional dog trainer in Atlanta, GA.

“This year taught me that it’s often hardest to take my own advice. I always feel confident guiding clients through their dogs’ behavior challenges, but when my own dogs began developing issues, I found myself feeling unexpectedly lost. As overwhelming as that was, I’m grateful for the experience. It reminded me how challenging true follow-through can be and helped me reconnect with my clients on a deeper, more empathetic level.”

“I always have to be the dog’s advocate.”

– Erin Purgason, Owner of Highland Canine Training, LLC.

“This year, I learned that I always have to be the dog’s advocate. A service dog family had applied and got very far in the process. I knew that the child could benefit from a service dog, but I had a bad feeling about the parents providing adequate structure and the time that was needed to make this team successful. I let my heart get in the way for the child – and was slow to advocate for the service dog. I did terminate the contract before delivery as things began to unravel. I should have trusted my gut. It takes a lot of support to make a child with its service dog successful.”