Your dog won’t always have a treat waiting. They’ll need to listen when it matters, not just when you’re holding a hot dog.

When it’s done right, it creates calm, confident, and independent dogs who can handle real life without falling apart.

But here’s the truth: if your idea of socialization is constant interaction, you’re not building a stable dog. You’re building an overstimulated one.

Impulse control doesn’t come built-in. It’s a skill we have to teach.

They’re not trying to frustrate you. They’re trying to figure out what works. And if the rules change based on your mood or the day of the week, your dog will stay confused and inconsistent.

And yes, motivation is important. Dogs won’t work if they see no reason to. But what I see too often is this:
Owners trying to out-reward their dog’s bad decisions… instead of teaching better ones.

Motivation without clarity leads to confusion. And confusion leads to chaos