Training and Imposter Syndrome: A mindset shift that helped me

[MalikethGSD]

I wanted to share a lesson that really helped me recently, especially as someone who isn't a professional trainer and deals with a lot of imposter syndrome when it comes to training.

I spend a lot of time watching the greats, the world class handlers and the people who make it look like magic. it often leaves me feeling like a total fraud. I look at their skill, then I look at my own and I get in my head thinking I'm not good enough or qualified enough to achieve that level or that I'm capping my dog's potential.

But I had a bit of a reality check recently that shifted my mindset. The hard truth is that my dog doesn't care about my qualifications or skills. He doesn't have Instagram, he doesn't know who the famous trainers are., he doesn't know I don't have a wall full of trophies or decades of experience. He only knows who I am to him in this exact moment.

Realizing this took a huge weight off my shoulders. It reminded me that he isn't judging me because I'm not a pro. He is just waiting for me to show up. I realized that when I stop worrying about what I should know and just focus on being fun and present with him right now, everything else just sort of falls into place.

just remember that your dog doesn't need you to be an expert they just need you to be present.

 

[Malakai The Great]

I wanted to share a lesson that really helped me recently, especially as someone who isn't a professional trainer and deals with a lot of imposter syndrome when it comes to training.

I spend a lot of time watching the greats, the world class handlers and the people who make it look like magic. it often leaves me feeling like a total fraud. I look at their skill, then I look at my own and I get in my head thinking I'm not good enough or qualified enough to achieve that level or that I'm capping my dog's potential.

But I had a bit of a reality check recently that shifted my mindset. The hard truth is that my dog doesn't care about my qualifications or skills. He doesn't have Instagram, he doesn't know who the famous trainers are., he doesn't know I don't have a wall full of trophies or decades of experience. He only knows who I am to him in this exact moment.

Realizing this took a huge weight off my shoulders. It reminded me that he isn't judging me because I'm not a pro. He is just waiting for me to show up. I realized that when I stop worrying about what I should know and just focus on being fun and present with him right now, everything else just sort of falls into place.

just remember that your dog doesn't need you to be an expert they just need you to be present.

This is a powerful realization, and honestly one that a lot of people never let themselves have. Your dog doesn’t live in comparison land. He doesn’t care about credentials, followers, titles, or who’s considered “elite.” All of that is human noise. What he experiences is the clarity, fairness, and energy you bring right now.

Some of the best dogs I’ve seen weren’t built by famous handlers, they were built by consistent ones. People who showed up, paid attention, and kept the work honest. Presence beats perfection every time. When you stop trying to perform training and just start being a good partner, the dog feels it immediately. And that’s when things start to click.

You’re not capping your dog’s potential by not being a pro. You cap it when you stop showing up. And you’re clearly doing the opposite.

 

[MalikethGSD]

This is a powerful realization, and honestly one that a lot of people never let themselves have. Your dog doesn’t live in comparison land. He doesn’t care about credentials, followers, titles, or who’s considered “elite.” All of that is human noise. What he experiences is the clarity, fairness, and energy you bring right now.

Some of the best dogs I’ve seen weren’t built by famous handlers, they were built by consistent ones. People who showed up, paid attention, and kept the work honest. Presence beats perfection every time. When you stop trying to perform training and just start being a good partner, the dog feels it immediately. And that’s when things start to click.

You’re not capping your dog’s potential by not being a pro. You cap it when you stop showing up. And you’re clearly doing the opposite.

Presence beats perfection, I might have to write that on my treat pouch as a reminder!

Seriously though, thank you for the kind words. It is so easy to get lost in 'comparison land,' but you are right, the dog doesn't live there. Glad this resonated with you!