Malone Alexandra
College of Psychology and Community Services, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Jun 10;15(6):798. doi: 10.3390/bs15060798.
The cases that dog trainers and behavior consultants face are often traumatic and emotionally challenging, especially under pressure from distressed clients. This study investigated whether more years of professional experience and higher levels of dog aggression contribute to burnout and whether the overall emotional toll of caring moderates these relationships. Eighty-six professionals completed the Professional Quality of Life Measure, which evaluates the positive aspects of caregiving and negative outcomes such as burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The analysis revealed that neither extended work experience nor increased dog aggression significantly predicted higher burnout levels, and the anticipated moderating effect of emotional strain was not observed. The levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress in this sample were similar to those reported in other animal-care and human healthcare settings, while the satisfaction derived from caregiving remained relatively high. These results suggest that factors beyond years of experience and dog aggression-such as workplace support and individual coping mechanisms-may be more crucial in influencing burnout among these professionals. This study highlights the need for an expanded investigation of other possible influences, such as workplace support and personal coping mechanisms. Identifying specific challenges that dog trainers face and implementing strategies to offset burnout will create a healthier and more sustainable work environment and improve the quality of life for humans and their canine companions.
犬类训练师和行为顾问所面临的案例往往具有创伤性且在情感上具有挑战性,尤其是在来自焦虑客户的压力之下。本研究调查了更多年的专业经验和更高程度的犬类攻击性是否会导致职业倦怠,以及照料工作带来的总体情感负担是否会调节这些关系。八十六名专业人士完成了“生活质量专业量表”,该量表评估了照料工作的积极方面以及诸如职业倦怠和继发性创伤压力等负面结果。分析表明,延长的工作经验和增加的犬类攻击性均未显著预测更高的职业倦怠水平,并且未观察到预期的情感压力调节作用。该样本中的职业倦怠和继发性创伤压力水平与其他动物护理和人类医疗环境中报告的水平相似,而照料工作带来的满意度仍然相对较高。这些结果表明,除了经验年限和犬类攻击性之外的因素——如工作场所支持和个人应对机制——可能在影响这些专业人士的职业倦怠方面更为关键。本研究强调需要对其他可能的影响因素,如工作场所支持和个人应对机制,进行更广泛的调查。识别犬类训练师面临的具体挑战并实施应对职业倦怠的策略,将创造一个更健康、更可持续的工作环境,并改善人类及其犬类同伴的生活质量。