When Someone Asked Me What I Did as a Real Job: The Passion Behind Being a Dog Behaviourist

The other day, someone asked me what I did for a living. A pretty standard question, right? But it was followed by something that threw me off guard—“So, that’s your hobby? Not your real job?” They were referring to my work as a dog behaviourist, and while it was said without malice, it made me pause. It got me thinking about how the world sometimes views professions involving animals—how what I do might be seen as just a fun or part-time hobby for people who "love dogs" rather than a legitimate career. But for me, being a dog behaviourist isn’t just a hobby; it’s a vocation, one that I have poured years of study, effort, and investment into. It's something I take incredibly seriously, and it’s become my full-time job—something that has shaped both my career and my life.

With Millie the dog that changed my life

Dog Training: More Than Just a Passion, It’s a Lifelong Commitment

For many, dog training and behaviour work might seem like a casual pursuit. After all, everyone has a dog, and many people "train" their pets on their own, whether it’s teaching basic commands or working on simple tricks. But when you dig deeper into the science of dog behaviour and training, you realise that it’s far more complex than just giving commands. Understanding the subtleties of animal behaviour requires not only an inherent love for animals but also a commitment to learning, understanding, and applying the latest techniques backed by years of research and evidence-based practices.

When I started out, dog behaviour wasn’t just something I dabbled in. It became a mission. A lifelong journey that has involved countless hours of studying animal behaviour, understanding dog psychology, and training under experts in the field. I didn’t just want to know the basics—I wanted to know everything I could to make sure that I could provide the best, most effective training techniques for the dogs and owners I work with.

Real Job? A Labour of Love

The assumption that being a dog behaviourist is just a hobby really struck me because it highlights how some people still don’t fully understand the depth of what it takes to work with dogs professionally. The truth is, what I do goes beyond the average "dog lover" activity. It's a real job, one that involves continuous learning, practical experience, and a lot of hard work. There’s a significant amount of research that goes into understanding the nuances of dog behaviour, learning theory, and the impact of different environments on dogs. As a professional, it’s my responsibility to stay on top of the latest advancements in the field to ensure that the techniques I use are up-to-date and effective.

Investing years into studying dog behaviour and training methods isn’t just about knowing how to teach a dog to sit, stay, or come. It’s about understanding why a dog behaves the way it does, what their body language tells us, and how to modify unwanted behaviours in a positive, effective way. It’s about understanding the intricacies of canine learning, socialisation, and how to work with different breeds, temperaments, and challenges. Every dog is unique, and what works for one dog might not work for another. That’s why I’ve spent years honing my skills and learning from both successes and failures.

The Real Work Behind the Scenes

Being a dog behaviourist isn’t just about training dogs—it’s about working closely with their owners. It’s about teaching people how to communicate with their dogs, how to understand their needs, and how to work through challenges together. When I help someone train their dog, it’s not just about getting the dog to perform certain behaviours—it’s about helping the owner build a stronger, healthier bond with their pet. That requires teaching them patience, consistency, and the ability to read their dog’s body language and emotions.

And this is where it can be heartbreaking. I pour so much into ensuring that every dog and their owner gets the right guidance, but I’ve learned that human nature often leads people to pick and choose the advice that’s easiest or most convenient for them. Training a dog isn’t a quick fix—it’s an ongoing commitment. When owners don’t fully follow through on the guidance, or when they focus only on the bits that suit them, it can leave gaps that stop the dog from making real progress. It’s tough because I know the potential that both the dog and the owner have, and I want nothing more than to see them succeed together.

The truth is, consistency is key in dog training, and that means sticking to the plan, even when it gets tough or inconvenient. When the advice and techniques are ignored or left halfway, it can undo months of hard work, leaving both the dog and owner frustrated. It’s not easy, but I believe that by continuing to push for the complete picture of training, lasting change is possible.

The Vocation That Drives Me

So, is dog behaviour work a hobby? Absolutely not. It’s a full-time job, a lifelong vocation, and a responsibility that I take seriously every single day. The joy of seeing a dog transform, the satisfaction of helping owners achieve a better relationship with their pets, and the constant challenge of improving my craft all drive me. This career isn’t just about training dogs—it’s about improving lives, both for dogs and the people who love them.

When you truly invest in something—whether it's studying a field for years, perfecting a craft, or developing your skills— it’s no longer just a hobby. It becomes a part of who you are. I didn’t choose dog behaviour as a career lightly. It’s a commitment, a passion, and most of all, a job that I pour my heart into every day. For me, it’s not just about teaching dogs; it’s about empowering owners to create the best possible life for their pets, and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

This commitment to the entire journey—starting from puppyhood and carrying on through every stage of a dog’s life—led me to create Lifelong Training Programmes for both dogs and owners through my training business Best Behaviour Dog Training. I couldn’t bear to see so many owners get stuck in the traditional model of rinse-and-repeat 6-week courses that never truly set dogs up for success in the long term. Dogs evolve over time, and the way we approach training must evolve with them.

I knew that this concept would be challenging, especially when the industry had historically been focused on short-term results, but my dedication to reducing the number of dogs given up or put to sleep due to behavioural issues drove me forward. I couldn’t stand the thought of dogs being rehomed, or worse, being abandoned, simply because their owners didn’t have the long-term support they needed. That's why I created Lifelong Training—to give dog owners the ongoing support, resources, and advice they need to ensure their dogs remain happy, well-behaved, and cherished throughout their lives. It's a programme that’s as much about preventing future issues as it is about solving existing ones, with the belief that no dog should ever find themselves rehomed because of poor behaviour.

But what about when the problems do arise? That’s where Zoe Willingham Dog Behaviourist comes in. I created this service to address those crucial moments when things aren’t going smoothly, and problem behaviours emerge. It’s for those times when things have escalated and when owners need that specialised support to help their dog through their struggles. With Zoe Willingham Dog Behaviourist, I work with owners to address issues that could lead to rehoming or surrendering a dog to a shelter, providing them with tailored, expert advice to solve real behaviour problems effectively.

Why This Means So Much to Me

I don’t just work with dogs, I live with them—40 of my own rescue dogs, to be exact. Many of them came to me with significant behavioural challenges, some of which were deeply ingrained and difficult to address. But over time, with patience, consistency, and the right training methods, I’ve helped them overcome their issues, and now, they’re living their best, happiest lives. Seeing their transformation from troubled, misunderstood dogs to confident, well-behaved companions has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

It’s this experience with my own dogs that drives me every single day. I’ve seen firsthand how, with the right guidance, even the most challenging behavioural issues can be resolved. When I see how happy my own dogs are now, I’m reminded why I do what I do—it’s proof that with the right commitment and support, anything is possible. And that’s why I am so passionate about helping other dog owners see that same success. Every dog, no matter their background or challenges, has the potential to thrive if given the right tools and understanding. It’s never too late to make things work, and I’m here to show owners the way.

So, the next time someone asks me what I do for a living, I’ll proudly share that being a dog behaviourist isn’t just a job, it’s my vocation—one I’ve built from the ground up, through years of determination, study, and passion. It’s not a quick fix; it’s a lifelong journey for both the dog and their owner, and I’m here to guide them every step of the way. Through Best Behaviour Dog Training and Zoe Willingham Dog Behaviourist, my goal is to help dogs and owners thrive at every stage of their lives—because a well-trained dog isn’t just a happy dog; it’s a dog that has the best chance at a loving, forever home.

If you would like to find out more about my behaviour work click here -https://www.zoewillinghamdogbehaviourist.co.uk

Or if you would like to see more information about my training school click here - https://www.bestbehaviourdogtraining.co.uk