If I were to give dog training advice in five words or less, that is what I would offer…

Yes, results are good and results are very important to me, and, if I’m being honest, results are what almost everyone is looking for when it comes to training their dog. But once you realize that “training” is just another word for “relationship building” it becomes easier to release the idea of there ever being a finish, or an end to the work that we do with our dogs.

What human relationships that you share for a lifetime ever really have a finish to them? They’re always changing and evolving. It’s the same with our dogs.

Of course, when I have dogs with me for board and train programs, it might look and seem like I’m moving fast and getting results quickly. And, don’t get me wrong, for the most part I am. But that’s just because I train more dogs in one week than most dog owners will train in a lifetime, so I’ve developed a bit of skill and finesse and understanding of canine psychology that I apply to the process. But I still move slowly and honor the relationship with our dogs first and foremost.

And there’s a reason that graduations are referred to as a commencement.

Embrace the process of training (living with) your dog. Because remember, training is happening wether we want it to or not. It’s just nice if we’re the ones shaping the way it goes.