You’ll see “IMDT-trained” on our profile and wonder what it actually means for your dog. In short: kind, modern, science-based handling — no fear, no force, no outdated dominance nonsense. Here’s why that matters on every walk.
The short answer
IMDT stands for the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, one of the UK’s most respected bodies for reward-based, ethical dog handling. An IMDT-trained walker reads canine body language, rewards the behaviour you want and never relies on fear or punishment. The result is calmer dogs, safer groups and walks your dog genuinely looks forward to.
What the IMDT actually stands for
The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers certifies trainers and handlers in force-free, science-led methods grounded in how dogs actually learn. It’s the opposite of the old “show them who’s boss” approach. For walkers, it means we manage behaviour by setting dogs up to succeed — not by correcting them after the fact.
Why it matters on a group walk
Walking several dogs together is a skill. An IMDT-trained walker spots the early signals — a stiff posture, a hard stare, a tucked tail — and steps in before anything escalates. That’s how our small-group dog walking stays sociable and safe, with dogs matched by temperament rather than thrown together.
Especially good for nervous and reactive dogs
Force-free methods come into their own with worried dogs. Rather than flooding a nervous dog or punishing a reactive one, we build confidence at the dog’s pace — which is exactly how our solo, one-to-one dog walks are run. If that sounds like your dog, our guide to walking a reactive dog goes into the practical detail.
What to ask a walker about their training
Ask which methods they use and how they’d handle a dog that lunges or freezes. Reward-based, calm, body-language-led answers are what you want; anything about “dominance”, “alpha” or corrections is a red flag. Trusted dog walkers will happily talk you through their approach — ours is built on it. Written by Viv of The Dog Walkers, IMDT-trained & Canine First Aid certified. Book a free meet & greet to see how we work.
Related reading: how to choose a dog walker and questions to ask before you hire.