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!

 

[Malakai The Great]

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!

Haha, if you do that, it’ll be the most useful piece of training gear you own.

And honestly, you nailed it. Comparison sneaks in fast, especially when you care, but the dog never asks for perfect. Just honest effort and consistency. I’m glad it landed for you.

 

[MyDogBitz]

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.

When I started getting around a lot more trainers and dogs I felt a whole lot better about my own dog and my ability. If you're only exposure is to professional content made by professional trainers, you're always going to feel inadequate.

The key for me was to find professionals to work with who are 1) really good at what they do 2) have no issue with showing their dog making mistakes and 3) have a helpful and welcoming attitude.

Dog training can be TOXIC. Find some good people to work with and go out and work on everything you're struggling with.

Most importantly have fun with your dog because that's all that matters.

 

[Heather]

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.

You are a pro to your dog , and as long as you are willing to continue learn and try new things that’s more important to him than the worlds best trainer/ ribbons etc . If you find yourself over your head , just always go back to basics , don’t overwork ,get frustrated, we , including our dogs all have them bad days . You are your dogs world !

 

[EnraaGygas]

I had a similar experience with my early training with Chase. Training a puppy solo, you tend to get ahead of yourself - You see all these dogs online doing amazing things, but they're adults, and you get so caught up in trying to catch up that you forget there's so much time to learn that down the road.

I realized pretty quickly where I WANTED Chase to be at each month, set realistic expectations, and stopped watching training content unless it DIRECTLY helped with something I was working on and he's such a great dog at almost nine months. I find him to be a pleasure to live now!