Real Life Ethical Dilemmas

Even the most experienced dog professionals encounter ethical grey areas. In theory, we know where we stand but real life situations rarely come with clear labels. Clients push boundaries, welfare needs conflict and sometimes, the "right" path isn't obvious.

Navigating ethical dilemmas means applying values in messy, human contexts. Here are a few scenarios and how an ethical professional might approach them.

Scenario 1: A Client Requests a Quick Fix for Aggression

A family contacts you in distress: their dog growled at their toddler, and they want it “fixed fast” ideally by someone “firm.” They mention another trainer who offered a residential boot camp with e-collar use.

Ethical response: Acknowledge their concern, but clarify that behavioural change is a process, not an “off the shelf” product. Emphasise that e-collars cause pain and pain based methods are not only unethical but often worsen aggression. Offer an evidence based plan, explain your welfare-first approach, and refer on to another ethical dog professional if it falls outside your scope. Compassion doesn’t mean compliance especially when safety and ethics are at stake.

Scenario 2: You Witness Poor Practice at a Local Dog Daycare

You visit a daycare as part of a behavioural consult and see rough handling, stressed dogs and staff laughing about “the naughty ones.” You’re not there to assess the facility, but what you’ve seen doesn’t sit right.

Ethical response: Document your observations objectively. If you feel safe doing so, raise your concerns directly with the manager. If not, consider reporting to the appropriate local authority or animal welfare body. In the meantime, avoid referring clients there and gently educate those clients who do use the service, offering alternatives.

Scenario 3: A Fellow Professional Publicly Shames a Client

On social media, another trainer posts screenshots from a client conversation including identifying details to mock their “ignorance.” The tone is sarcastic and contemptuous.

Ethical response: Resist the urge to engage in public criticism, which can fuel drama but change little. Instead, reach out privately to express concern. Ethics extend beyond technique they show in how we treat people. If needed, set professional boundaries or report conduct that breaches client confidentiality.

Ethics are actions, not abstract ideals.

They show up in the emails we write, the sessions we run and the conversations we have behind closed doors. Every day is a chance to align our choices with our values and in doing so, we don’t just protect dogs and clients. We shape the future of the industry itself.