Do I Need a Dog Trainer or a Behaviourist?
It’s one of the most common questions I hear from new clients — “Do I need a trainer or a behaviourist?”
The two roles can overlap, but there’s a big difference in what they focus on. Understanding that difference can help you find the right kind of support for you and your dog.
What a Dog Trainer Does
A dog trainer focuses on teaching life skills and everyday behaviour through clear communication and positive reinforcement.
Think of a trainer as your guide for helping your dog learn how to navigate the world calmly and confidently.
Training often includes things like:
🐕🦺 Loose lead walking
🪑 Sit, stay, and recall
🚪 Polite greetings and self-control
🧠 Building focus around distractions
🐶 Confidence and calmness in new environments
A good trainer doesn’t just “train dogs” — they teach owners how to communicate in a way their dog understands.
My job isn’t to train your dog for you — it’s to teach you how to train your dog, so you can carry that confidence into every part of your life together.
What a Dog Behaviourist Does
A dog behaviourist works with deeper emotional and psychological issues that often go beyond basic training.
They specialise in helping dogs who are struggling with distress, fear, or anxiety-based behaviours such as:
🐾 Reactivity or aggression
😔 Separation anxiety
⚡ Phobias (e.g., loud noises, strangers, car travel)
🐕 Resource guarding
💤 Compulsive or repetitive behaviours
Behaviourists often have academic qualifications — such as degrees or certifications in animal behaviour — and work alongside vets to rule out medical causes before creating a tailored behaviour modification plan.
In simple terms:
- Trainers teach skills.
- Behaviourists treat emotions.
How to Know Which One You Need
Here’s an easy way to decide:
If your dog is generally happy and healthy but needs help learning boundaries, manners, or focus → start with a trainer.
If your dog’s behaviour is driven by fear, aggression, or emotional distress → see a qualified behaviourist.
Sometimes, the best approach is a combination — a trainer for structure and confidence, and a behaviourist for emotional healing.
Where The Mojo Method Fits
At The Mojo Method, my focus is on training, education, and prevention — helping you understand how your dog thinks and learns so you can teach them great life skills, and prevent problems before they develop.
I use positive reinforcement and clicker training to strengthen communication, build trust, and create calm, confident dogs who feel understood.
And as part of my ongoing professional development, I’m currently working towards my dog behaviourist qualification, which I hope to complete next year.
This will allow me to offer even deeper, emotion-focused support for dogs who need that extra level of understanding.
“Connection before correction — that’s the heart of The Mojo Method.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you need a trainer or a behaviourist, the goal is the same: to help your dog feel safe, confident, and understood.
With the right approach, every dog — and every owner — can learn to communicate in harmony.
If you’re unsure which option is best for your situation, I offer a free 30-minute discovery call to talk it through and point you in the right direction.
