#190 - When to Be Concerned About Certainty

Confidence isn’t a credential.

October 28, 2026

TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen):

✅ Certainty sells, but it’s not a credential – Behavior is complicated, and your pet isn’t a formula, so nobody can honestly guarantee an outcome. “I don’t know yet” is a good sign. 

✅ The red flags – Guaranteed timelines, talk of “fixing” your pet, science words that don’t match what they’re actually doing, and blaming you or your dog when it stalls.

✅ The green flags – A plan B (and C, D, E, F), a clear point where they’d change course, and someone you’d want around when you’re crying in your bathroom over your dog.

Episode Overview:

“Guaranteed results”, “done in 30 days”, promises to “fix” your dog. 

Sounding sure is persuasive, and boy, oh, boy. Some people have gotten very good at it.

In this episode, Emily and Ellen talk guarantees in behavior work, promises of outcomes, and the type of certainty that is a big ol’ red flag, not a signal of competence. 

But don’t worry! It’s not all doom and gloom. Emily and Ellen also share what a good pro says instead, like “I don’t know yet; here’s how we’ll find out,” so you’ll know what to listen for when you’re looking for someone who works with you and your pet, without shame.

Links & Resources from the Episode​

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial l OpenDyslexic 

🌐 Get support for your pet’s behavior

More from Pet Harmony

We've got a lot more to share -- join the conversation!

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @petharmonytraining
Facebook: @petharmonytraining

For professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of pets and people alike:
Instagram: @petharmonypro
TikTok: @petharmonypro
Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/

Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated with you, we’d love for you to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps us connect with others who are ready to create positive change in their pets’ lives and their own.

🐾 See some of our favorite training and enrichment items on our Amazon affiliate storefront.

Meet the Hosts

Allie pic with Oso

Allie Bender, CDBC, CPDT-KA, SBA

Allie Bender is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed, and a Shelter Behavior Affiliate. She has been in the animal welfare industry since 2006 and professionally training since 2012. She is the founder and co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker.

While in the animal sheltering industry, Allie realized that her passion lied in helping pets with maladaptive behaviors. Today she spends most of her time teaching other trainers and behavior professionals the skills they need to have their most fulfilling, sustainable careers.

BCandmecropped

EMIly strong

Emily Strong has been in the animal welfare industry since 1990 and has been a behavior consultant since 2008. She is the co-owner of Pet Harmony, co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World, and a national speaker. 

Emily started working with animals at a young age and struggled with the notion that you have to hurt, scare, or intimidate animals to help them. Emily loves helping current and prospective behavior professionals and working with pet parents through our in-depth services. She enjoys working with all species.

Team Members in the Episode

A beautiful lady in sunglasses next to a black and brown dog with large ears.

Ellen Yoakum, KPA-CTP, CSAP-BC

Ellen Yoakum joined Pet Harmony in 2020, and is the podcast producer and editor! She is also a Pet Harmony co-owner, trainer and behavior consultant. Ellen is a Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant, and Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP). She loves helping families build communication and cohabitate successfully by developing strategies and plans that will benefit everyone.

Ellen has been working within animal care and behavior in multiple capacities including: dog daycare and boarding, wildlife rehabilitation, zoological, captive animal welfare research, and private training.

Check out more from Ellen on the blog!

Copyright 2026 Pet Harmony, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy

Results are not guaranteed because behavior, human, canine, or otherwise, are not guaranteeable.

Beat the Heat Flash Sale

Use coupon code LearningIsCool! at checkout 

Save with our Dog Days of Summer Promo!

$35 off a
4-session bundle

$65 off an
8-session bundle

Use code DOGDAYS2025 at checkout

WordPress Cookie Plugin by Real Cookie Banner