November 17, 2024, 8:11 am | Read time: 8 minutes

In the world of dog trainers, especially on television, there seems to be a clear gender difference at first glance: More men than women dominate the picture. PETBOOK author and dog trainer Katharina Marioth believes this urgently needs to change and explains why more women are urgently needed in the German dog TV landscape.

The idea that certain professions and jobs are more likely to be assigned to men or women is deeply rooted in culture. Historically, men have often been assigned the role of “leader,” while women have been perceived as “caregivers” or “supporters.” This affects the perception of who is presented as a dog trainer on television.

Qualities such as discipline and authority are attributed more to men

In the public mind, dog training often requires discipline, authority, and control. In many people’s minds, this tends to be associated with male characteristics. Even in times when traditional gender roles are being questioned, this stereotypical attribution persists in some professions. Societal expectations unconsciously influence who we see in such roles and to whom we attribute more competence in these contexts.

One example of this is César Millán. His methodology of emphasizing control over dominant or difficult dogs is often seen as a “strong hand.” Such portrayals appeal to audiences who are characterized by traditional role models. The success of such TV formats then influences future casting decisions. Men are seen as more suitable for these roles because they conform to the prevailing ideas of strength and authority.

Martin Rütter, for example, has been a fixture in the field of dog training on German-speaking television for many years. With his show “Der Hundeprofi,” he has gained a broad following. Many see him as one of the best-known dog trainers in Germany.

Women are less “marketable”

Unfortunately, television shows are generally geared towards generating ratings and often opt for safe, tried-and-tested formats. When a male dog trainer is successful, as was the case with César Millán, the formula is often repeated for subsequent shows.

Women could be seen as less marketable in these roles. This is because they do not correspond to the usual images that audiences associate with “dominant” and “superior” roles. However, this seems to be quite a European phenomenon.

Men are physically better suited

In many cultures, there is still the idea that men are physically stronger and better suited to dealing with large or aggressive dogs. Of course, this is not an objective criterion for success in dog training. Nevertheless, this perception can influence who is portrayed in the media as a suitable trainer.

Even though modern dog training methods increasingly rely on positive reinforcement and scientifically based techniques, there is a perception that a “strong hand” is needed when a dog exhibits aggressive or problematic behavior. A trait that is mistakenly associated with men.

Men have better access to networks

Another important aspect is access to the right networks in the television industry. Male dog trainers who are already known to the public move in certain circles. This may give them easier access to the right contacts to land on a TV show.

These network effects play a big role, especially in an industry like television. Here, personal contact and recommendations are often crucial. The provocative phrase “Thomas gives the job to Michael and not Angelika” still often applies.

Female dog trainers may find it more difficult to assert themselves in these networks. Possibly because there are fewer of them, and they have to make more of an effort to be noticed. The presence of a successful male trainer on a show can also lead to other men being cast in similar roles. This is because the producers are relying on a successful recipe.

Why more female dog trainers belong on TV

These stereotypes could lead to male dog trainers being seen as better suited to dramatic, exciting scenes on TV, especially when dogs with challenging behavior need to be trained. However, this overlooks the fact that female dog trainers are just as successful when it comes to mastering difficult situations. In fact, they often have a deeper understanding of training methods.

In the following, I will mention a few more reasons that could justify a replacement:

Variety and new impulses

Martin Rütter has been a familiar face in dog training for years, but TV formats can wear out over time. Even if his methods continue to be effective, the audience could demand new impulses or fresh ideas. Switching to a different trainer or a new concept outside of the trainers he has trained could renew the format and boost viewership. A change would be a way to offer variety and possibly integrate more modern training methods or innovative approaches.

Women can also assert themselves

Television productions often prefer clear and easy-to-convey character images. A male dog trainer fits well into the narrative pattern of a dominant “leader” who brings complex and chaotic situations, in this case, problematic dogs, under control. Such portrayals are easily marketable for television as they create tension and conflict – both central elements of many entertainment formats.

Female dog trainers, who are just as capable of taking the lead and dealing with difficult situations, receive less attention in this context. They are often less trusted to take on the same “strong” and assertive role, even though they are just as successful in real life. It is also apparent that women on television tend to appear in emotional, empathetic roles that are less focused on discipline and authority. These role stereotypes reinforce the imbalance in visibility.

Diversity and change of perspective

Another reason could be the need for more diversity and more female presence on TV. In an increasingly diverse and inclusive media landscape, viewers and producers could be looking for a new perspective. A female or male trainer with a different background, a different methodology, or simply a different personality style could give the format new momentum and appeal to a broader target group.

Gender also plays a role here. As discussed earlier, women have been less visible in dog training shows, and a switch to a female trainer could help redress this imbalance.

Changing viewer preferences

Audience preferences can change over time. Viewers who grew up with Rütter’s humorous and sometimes provocative style may now prefer other approaches that are perhaps more empathetic or softer. Approaches that also aim less to expose the dog owners in parts.

A replacement could aim to appeal to a wider range of viewers, perhaps including younger generations who prefer new media formats or have a greater interest in sustainability, mindfulness, and non-violent training.

Controversy or criticism

Another reason for considering replacing one or other male TV representative could be criticism of their methods or person. Although many TV dog trainers have a large following, there are different approaches in the dog training world. Moreover, not everyone is a proponent of ‘disciplinary’ methods.

Some critics might argue that the methods shown on TV are too focused on discipline and control. At the same time, more modern approaches focus more on cooperation and communication between dog and owner. If this criticism becomes louder or resonates with the public, it could be a reason for a replacement.

Dog industry anything but male-dominated

It is important to note that the reality in the dog training industry is not necessarily male-dominated. In many countries, there are numerous successful and talented female dog trainers who do an excellent job in everyday life as well as in professional competitions and dog therapy. So, in the real world, there is not as clear a gender gap as it seems on TV.

But the media has the power to convey a distorted image. Female dog trainers who use innovative, gentle training methods and focus on empathy and communication may find less space in dramatically staged TV formats, as this form of training is not always what TV sees as “exciting.”

The future: breaking down gender stereotypes

However, there are signs that this inequality is slowly changing. More and more women are asserting themselves in the dog training industry and gaining visibility, including in the media. They are breaking with traditional gender roles and showing that leadership and expertise in dog training are not dependent on gender. With increasing awareness of the importance of diversity in the media and the desire to tell more authentic and diverse stories, more female dog trainers could be in the spotlight on TV in the future.

TV formats that emphasize positive reinforcement and gentle training methods could also feature more female trainers. Many associate these methods with a cooperative approach that strengthens the relationship between dog and trainer. The development of new formats that emphasize empathy and emotional intelligence as key elements of the training process could also lead to more women appearing in these roles.

More on the topic

Veterinary medicine What is the difference between castration and sterilization?

Pawlooza PETBOOK at the first dog festival in Germany! What it was like

Educational guide Dog book or online course? What the dog trainer recommends

Conclusion

The fact that more male dog trainers are seen on TV is the result of a combination of cultural stereotypes, media strategies, and a distorted image of authority and leadership. However, this unequal representation does not reflect the reality in which women play an equally important role in the dog training industry.

However, with increasing awareness of these inequalities and a desire for more authentic portrayals, the picture may continue to even out in the coming years. The media landscape may recognize that competence, leadership, and empathy in the world of dog training are not a question of gender and can still bring success.

You can also visit Katharina Marioth on Instagram.