Dog Training Requires You to Change Your Behavior As Well!

Training a dog is often seen as teaching your pet how to behave: sit, stay, come, or walk politely on a leash. But what many people don’t realize is that dog training isn’t just about changing your dog’s behavior—it’s equally about changing your own behavior.

Dogs don’t come with an instruction manual, and they rely on us to provide them with structure, boundaries, and clear communication. To succeed in training, we as owners need to adjust our expectations, actions, and habits to help our dogs thrive.

Here’s why and how changing your behavior plays a pivotal role in your dog’s training success:

Dogs Learn Through Consistency

Dogs thrive on consistency and repetition, and as their primary caregiver, it’s your responsibility to create that consistency. If you’re inconsistent in how you teach or enforce rules, your dog will become confused and won’t know what’s expected of them.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Use the same commands and gestures every time. For example, don’t say “sit” one time and “sit down” the next.
• Reward behaviors you want to encourage and ignore those you don’t.
• Be patient and avoid sending mixed signals by letting unwanted behavior slide “just this once.”

Your Dog Mirrors Your Energy

Dogs are highly intuitive and pick up on your emotional state. If you’re anxious, frustrated, or stressed, your dog is likely to reflect that energy and become unsettled or reactive. Calm and confident owners set the tone for calm and confident dogs.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Take a deep breath and compose yourself before starting a training session.
• Maintain a calm and relaxed demeanor, especially in challenging situations (like meeting another dog or working on reactivity).
• Avoid raising your voice or showing frustration if your dog doesn’t respond right away—patience is key.

Communication is a Two-Way Street

Dogs don’t understand human language the way we do, so they rely on tone, body language, and repetition to interpret our cues. If your communication isn’t clear, your dog will struggle to understand what you want.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Simplify your commands: Use short, consistent words like “sit,” “stay,” or “down.”
• Pair verbal commands with visual signals (e.g., pointing to the ground for “down”).
• Avoid repeating commands multiple times—say it once, then guide your dog to comply, and reward them when they do.

Be a Teacher, Not Just a Disciplinarian

Dogs aren’t born knowing what’s expected of them. When they misbehave, it’s often because they haven’t been taught what to do instead. Reacting with frustration or punishment won’t help your dog learn—instead, it can damage your bond and create fear or confusion.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Focus on teaching your dog what to do, not just punishing what they shouldn’t do. For example, instead of yelling when they jump on guests, teach them to sit politely when someone arrives.
• Use positive reinforcement (like treats, praise, or toys) to encourage good behavior.
• View mistakes as learning opportunities for both you and your dog.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s easy to become frustrated if your dog doesn’t master a command or behavior quickly. But dogs learn at their own pace, and every dog is different. Unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration, which can disrupt the training process.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Recognize that training is a marathon, not a sprint—it takes time and repetition.
• Celebrate small wins, like your dog staying calm for a few seconds instead of a minute.
• Tailor your training to your dog’s individual personality, breed, and learning style.

Build a Strong Bond

Training isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about building trust and a deep connection with your dog. Without a strong relationship, your dog may struggle to listen or focus on you.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Spend quality time with your dog outside of training, like playing, walking, or cuddling.
• Be patient and supportive—training is a partnership, not a one-sided effort.
• Show enthusiasm when your dog succeeds to build their confidence and motivation.

Seek Professional Help When Needed

Sometimes, we unknowingly reinforce unwanted behaviors or miss key signs that our dog is struggling. A professional trainer can help guide you and ensure your behavior is supporting—not hindering—your dog’s progress.

How to Change Your Behavior:

• Be open to learning from trainers or behaviorists.
• Implement their recommendations consistently.
• Recognize that it’s okay to ask for help—training is a journey, and professional guidance can make it smoother.

---

Training your dog is as much about you as it is about them. By changing your own behavior—becoming more consistent, patient, and clear—you set your dog up for success. Remember, dogs are not just learning commands; they’re learning how to navigate the world through your guidance.

When you commit to improving your behavior, you build a stronger bond, create a more positive environment, and set the stage for long-term success in your dog’s training journey. Together, you and your dog will grow as a team—and that’s what training is all about.