the hardest part of being a dog trainer

People often ask me: “What’s the hardest part of your job?”

And my answer usually surprises them. It’s not the long hours, it’s not the tough cases or the difficult dogs that can pose as a bite risk to me or other dogs. It’s not the emotional rollercoaster of helping people and their pets through real behavioural struggles.

It’s coming home. It’s walking through the door, seeing Monty - my heart dog, my world, my best friend - and realising… He got the least of me today.

The Dog Who Started It All

Monty is the reason Be More Monty Dog Training exists. He’s the heart, the inspiration, and the waggy tail behind everything I do. He’s taught me to be kind, to be patient, to be consistent, and to love without limits. He’s the one who made me want to help other people understand their dogs - because he helped me understand myself. And yet, some days… I don’t feel like I give him the time, energy, or attention he truly deserves.

Giving My All (To Everyone Else’s Dogs)

My days are filled with incredible clients - people who love their dogs and want to do right by them, and follow mine and Monty’s lead. I’m on the phone, answering texts, giving guidance, celebrating wins, troubleshooting setbacks. And I genuinely love it. I will never not love it. It’s the reason I do my job. Watching those lightbulb moments when a dog and human finally click... Celebrating the smallest steps forward… Supporting families through the rough patches…

It fills my cup in ways I can’t even explain.

But sometimes, by the time the last message is answered and the last session is done… my energy is gone. I’m emotionally spent. And Monty, who waits so patiently, gets the leftover scraps of me.

The Promise Behind Be More Monty

Be More Monty Dog Training was never just a catchy name. It was a promise.

A promise to be more present. To make time. To show up for the dog who showed up for me - even on my hardest of days, when I could barely drag myself out of bed to the sofa.

Because Monty isn’t just my pet. He’s my teacher. My grounding force. My why.

And I owe it to him - and to myself - to always honour that promise.

To My Fellow Dog Pros: I See You

So, to all the other dog trainers, walkers, groomers, vets - the professionals who give your best to other people’s dogs day after day, and sometimes feel the guilt of not having enough left for your own…

I see you.

This job asks a lot of us. And we give it, because we care deeply, we want to make and see the difference. But it’s okay to admit that some days are tough - and that sometimes, the ones who mean the most to us end up waiting quietly in the background. Let’s not forget why we started. Let’s keep making time, even when it’s tough.

Because I know Monty would understand. And I think your dog would too 🧡