Dog Training Today with Will Bangura for Pet Parents, Kids & Family, Pets and Animals, and Dog Training Professionals. This is a Education & How To Dog Training Podcast.
DOG TRAINING TODAY with WILL BANGURA: Science-Based, Vet-Endorsed Advice for Pet Parents, Kids & Family, Pets and Animals, and Dog Training Professionals. This is a Education & How To Dog Training Podcast.
Looking for a science-based, vet-endorsed dog training podcast that is perfect for kids, families, and pets of all ages, even other Dog Trainers and Pet Professionals? Look no further than Dog Training Today with certified dog behavior consultant Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP.
In each episode, Will provides practical advice and tips on everything from teaching your dog basic commands to addressing common behavioral issues. He also covers topics such as:
- How to choose the right dog for your family
- How to socialize your puppy
- How to manage and modify behavior problems in dogs
- How to crate train your dog
- How to teach your dog basic and advanced commands
- How to address anxiety and phobias
- How to manage dog aggression
- How to create a positive and rewarding training experience for both you and your dog
Dog Training Today is more than just a dog training podcast. It's a holistic resource for families with pets. Will covers everything from diet and exercise to mental health and behavior. He also interviews experts in the field to provide listeners with the latest research and insights.
Who Should Listen?
- Pet Parents seeking to understand their furry companions better
- Dog Trainers wanting to enrich their toolkit
- Veterinarians and Vet Techs interested in behavior
- Pet Guardians looking for trusted resources
- Anyone passionate about dogs!
Remember to subscribe and leave a review if you find our content helpful. New episodes are released every week, so stay tuned for more practical advice, expert interviews, and step-by-step guides.
If you're a parent, pet owner, or anyone who loves dogs, Dog Training Today is the podcast for you. Subscribe today and start learning how to be the best pet parent possible!
Check out The Dog Training Today Website at The DOG TRAINING PODCAST
Category Pets and Animals, Dog Training, Kids and Family
Dog Training Today with Will Bangura for Pet Parents, Kids & Family, Pets and Animals, and Dog Training Professionals. This is a Education & How To Dog Training Podcast.
Unveiling the Digital Struggle: Why Ethical Dog Trainers Are Lost in Search Rankings
Can Google really sniff out the best dog trainers or is something amiss in the search landscape? Uncover the shocking reality behind the digital dominance of outdated dog training methods over certified, humane practices. We promise to unravel how the algorithms meant to serve us might actually be hindering top-notch trainers from reaching eager dog owners. Our fascinating discussion reveals a ground-breaking case study from Chicago, spotlighting the disparity between two trainers’ online presences. Learn why positive reinforcement experts with decades of experience are overshadowed by their less ethical counterparts in search rankings.
Join us as we dissect the role of SEO and the power of backlinks, shedding light on the unexpected intricacies of dog training marketing. Discover how savvy trainers are fighting back, utilizing innovative strategies like link exchange networks to elevate their online visibility. We’ll share insights and solutions that could revolutionize how certified trainers connect with their audience, ensuring that ethical practices take their rightful place at the top. Get ready for an eye-opening exploration into the digital maze and the quest for humane training methods to shine online.
If you need professional help please visit my Dog Behaviorist website.
Go here for Free Dog Training Articles
All right, so are you ready to dive into a topic that I bet you didn't think would be this interesting? It's dog training marketing. Okay, you sent in some sources and I got to say I really was not prepared for, like, just how deep this goes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's fascinating and there's a lot more to it than most people would think.
Speaker 1:I know right, just figure like, okay, you just Google dog trainer, you pick somebody and off you go to train.
Speaker 2:That's what everybody thinks, yeah.
Speaker 1:But, but the thing is, you know the sources you shared, it's like it. It revealed this like wild trend, and that is that, like certified dog trainers, especially the ones using positive reinforcement, they're like practically invisible online, it's true, and meanwhile you know the trainers that are using kind of these outdated or sometimes even harmful methods. Those are the ones that are like dominating the top search results.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's really a problem, it's so weird yeah. Because you've got these highly qualified trainers, people that have been doing this for years and years and years. They really understand dog behavior and they're getting buried in the search results.
Speaker 1:I know it's like the system is working against them.
Speaker 2:It really is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you'd think Google, you know, with its algorithms and everything, would be able to sniff out the real experts. But nope, right, it's just not happening.
Speaker 2:And it all comes down to SEO. Yeah, search engine optimization.
Speaker 1:I mean, I know you're a savvy listener so I don't want to like bore you with all the like basic details, but it's like the sources are highlighting just how crucial this has become, even for like dog training.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, this is something that's important across every industry. Now.
Speaker 1:It is like dog trainers need to be like tech wizards.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:These days to get noticed.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but.
Speaker 1:OK, let's get specific, because one of the sources had this like wild case study from Chicago yeah. With two different trainers in the same city, totally different online presence. So tell me about this.
Speaker 2:OK, so trainer number one CPD TKA certified. Ok, over 30 years of experience. So trainer number one CPD TKA certified.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Over 30 years of experience. Uses strictly positive reinforcement methods.
Speaker 1:Going great.
Speaker 2:You would think they'd be like rolling in clients, but their website had zero traffic.
Speaker 1:Zero.
Speaker 2:Zero. Wow, they weren't showing up in the rankings for even like the most basic keyword.
Speaker 1:Are you kidding me? Yup, that's crazy.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, so then trainer number two, using's, just say, less than ideal methods. What's going on there?
Speaker 2:Okay, so trainer number two wasn't certified and they were openly admitting to using things like shot callers.
Speaker 1:Oh no.
Speaker 2:But here's the kicker they were ranking number three. What For dog training Chicago?
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:And getting over 1,300 website visitors every single month.
Speaker 1:Seriously, what is going on here? I mean, like I know, you know, I get like the basics of SEO, right, but this feels like next level sorcery. Yeah, how is?
Speaker 2:that even possible. Remember, we talked about backlinks before, those little votes of confidence from other websites. Yeah, so it turns out they play a huge role in how Google ranks websites and in this case, the trainer, using the outdated methods, had way more backlinks pointing to their site.
Speaker 1:So it's not even just about having a website, it's about who's linking to it Exactly. That just feels a little broken.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:It's like the Internet is rewarding the wrong kind of dog training.
Speaker 2:A hundred percent agree. Yeah, that's like the internet is rewarding the wrong kind of dog training.
Speaker 1:A hundred percent agree.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's the problem. A lot of these certified ethical trainers are running into Right. But the good news is there are some solutions.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:One thing I thought was really interesting that I saw in these sources was the rise of link exchange networks.
Speaker 1:Link exchange networks.
Speaker 2:Specifically for certified dog trainers.
Speaker 1:Okay, so like what is that? Tell me more.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so basically these networks are like support systems.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:Where certified trainers link to each other's websites and this boosts everybody's visibility. I like that Right, and it sends a signal to Google like, hey, these are the real experts.
Speaker 1:It's like that rising tide lifts all boats kind of an approach. But is that enough? Like is simply swapping links. Is that the magic bullet?
Speaker 2:It's definitely a good step.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:But the sources make it clear it's really just the tip of the iceberg.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:These trainers if they really want to compete online, they need to be thinking bigger picture. They need a more well-rounded approach to marketing.
Speaker 1:OK, now we're talking.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So what else is out there? Like what other things did these sources uncover?
Speaker 2:Well, so one of the things that really stood out to me was this idea of, like niche content creation packages. So think like blog posts, articles, you know, eBooks all really laser focused on, like you know, those super specific topics that pet parents are always Googling.
Speaker 1:I see.
Speaker 2:So you know, instead of just having like a really generic website, you're actually creating this. You know, treasure trove of content that makes you the go-to expert on, like puppy biting, or, you know, decoding dog body language.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like providing this, like genuinely useful information that builds trust with people who might, you know, want to hire you Exactly Like hey, I get your struggles Right. I'm not just here to train your dog, I'm here to, like, empower you as a pet parent.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's way smarter than just trying to like stuff keywords onto a website and hope Google, like, picks up on it. Totally. Yeah, this is about connecting with people who actually need help. Right, and you know, let's be real, who hasn't Googled some weird dog behavior at like three in the morning?
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh All the time.
Speaker 1:Right, we've all been there, yeah, but OK, so it's not just about creating this awesome content, is it?
Speaker 2:No, it's not.
Speaker 1:It's about making sure that, like the Internet, knows that it exists.
Speaker 2:Right, you've got to optimize it.
Speaker 1:You've got to make sure it actually shows up in the search results, right. Yeah, it's a one-two punch Create the content, then make sure that people can actually find it.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay, so what else? What other pieces of the puzzle do these sources kind of uncover?
Speaker 2:So the next level up is where things get really interesting.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Full-on digital marketing packages. Okay, so we're talking about, like, optimizing Google business profiles, managing social media accounts, even running targeted ad campaigns.
Speaker 1:Whoa Okay, that's like a full on online takeover.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:But I can see how that would be really effective.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you're meeting your ideal client wherever they are online.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So you're being really proactive. You're making sure that your business is the one that people see when they're searching for help with you know, their dogs let's just say quirks.
Speaker 1:Right right.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Okay, and then of course there's, like the website itself, yes, like a trainer's digital storefront, absolutely. I mean, it can't just be, you know, a boring list of services anymore.
Speaker 2:No, no, no. The sources really emphasize like having a good website is crucial these days. It needs to be visually appealing, easy to navigate, mobile, friendly. You know you want people to have a good experience.
Speaker 1:I'm picturing those like really sleek modern websites, you know.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Easy booking systems. Tons of testimonials from happy clients.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you got it.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Some of the sources even talked about offering like website templates specifically for dog trainers.
Speaker 1:So interesting.
Speaker 2:Or like custom design and branding packages, you know Okay.
Speaker 1:Logo color palette. You know the whole shebang.
Speaker 2:It's like they're saying look, we know you're amazing with dogs, but you probably didn't go to design school.
Speaker 1:Right, exactly.
Speaker 2:So let us handle this part so you can focus on. You know what you do best.
Speaker 1:A hundred percent.
Speaker 2:Okay, and then there's one more piece I want to highlight, because I found this really fascinating, okay, and that is this idea of like positioning certified trainers as like thought leaders.
Speaker 1:Yes, I love this.
Speaker 2:It's about elevating the whole profession, right. It's not just about marketing your individual business. It's about like raising the bar for the whole field. Exactly so what would that look like?
Speaker 1:So the sources talk about things like hosting workshops and webinars.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, organizing networking events, even starting podcasts or YouTube channels. Okay, you know, it's about sharing your knowledge, building a community and showing that you're an expert in more than just you know the actual hands-on dog training.
Speaker 2:Right. It's like saying to the world hey, positive reinforcement training is here to stay.
Speaker 1:And we're not just like whispering it anymore, we're shouting it from the rooftops. I love that, yeah, and imagine like the impact if every pet parent out there had access to like good, solid information about dog training.
Speaker 2:It would change everything.
Speaker 1:I know.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:What would that world even look like? Paint me a picture of this like positive reinforcement utopia.
Speaker 2:Oh man.
Speaker 1:All right. So we're back and my brain is like officially buzzing.
Speaker 2:Oh, mine too.
Speaker 1:After that last segment, like it's, it's amazing to think about, like how much potential there is to, you know, really shake things up in the dog training world.
Speaker 2:Yeah, there's a lot of possibility out there.
Speaker 1:Okay, let's like bring it back down to earth for a second. Okay For the listener. You're the pet parent who's trying to figure all of this out Like what are, like, the key takeaways that you want to leave them with?
Speaker 2:Hmm, that's a good question. I think the biggest thing is you know, just because a trainer has a flashy website or you know they're at the top of the Google search results, that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best.
Speaker 1:Like don't judge a book by its cover. But for dog trainers.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, you really have to do your research. Look for those certifications, like you know CPDTKA or CBCCKA, yeah, and don't be afraid to ask potential trainers about their methods. You know you're entrusting them with a member of your family.
Speaker 1:It's a big deal.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you want to be sure that they're the right fit.
Speaker 1:So be a dog training detective? Yes, right, get out there and do your research. But it's not just about finding the right trainer for your own dog, is it?
Speaker 2:Like own dog. Is it Like there's a bigger picture here? Yeah, absolutely. You know, choosing a trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods it's not just a personal decision. It's like you're voting for a more humane and ethical way of training dogs.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like collectively saying hey, we're not okay with these outdated methods anymore, like we want something better for our dogs.
Speaker 2:I love that, so it's like we're not just picking a outdated methods anymore, like we want something better for our dogs.
Speaker 1:I love that. So it's like we're not just picking a trainer, it's like we're part of a movement. We are. That's pretty powerful stuff.
Speaker 2:It is, and this movement needs voices.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So talk to your friends, share resources online. You know anything you can do to spread the word about positive reinforcement training.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's like you're all part of this giant dog loving team.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Working together to create a world where you know dogs are treated with the kindness and respect that they deserve.
Speaker 2:Well said.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I think we've covered a lot of ground in this deep dive. We have the challenges, the solutions, the potential you know for real change.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And how we train and interact with dogs. But I think the one thing I hope you take away from all of this yeah. Is a sense of hope.
Speaker 2:Me too.
Speaker 1:That like things are changing.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And that we all have a role to play in that change.
Speaker 2:Keep asking questions, keep learning and keep advocating for dogs everywhere.
Speaker 1:Yes, this has been such a good deep dive it has. Thank you so much for joining us my pleasure. And until next time.
