
04/20/2025
This is a statement I see a lot in local groups and everyone has a strong opinion on it, so here’s my perspective:
It’s a fair question! You love your dog. You’re invested. And you want the relationship you build to be rooted in trust, respect, and real connection, not just obedience.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t have to be your dog’s trainer to build a deep, meaningful relationship with them.
Just like you don’t need to be your child’s teacher to raise a kind, capable human being.
We send our kids to school not because we don’t care, but because we do. We recognize the value of letting professionals handle the foundational teaching, so we can focus on everything else that truly matters: raising them with values, supporting them through life, and being their constant.
It’s the same when you send your dog to a board and train.
The training teaches your dog how to regulate their state of mind. How to respond to leash pressure. How to build impulse control, calmness, and confidence inside clear boundaries. It lays the groundwork.
But that’s not the relationship.
That’s what makes the relationship possible.
Because once your dog has that clarity, once the chaos starts to quiet down, your communication improves. They can hear you. They can follow you. They can trust you.
That trust doesn’t come from who teaches “Sit.” It comes from what you do every day after that:
– The walks you take where your dog checks in with you naturally
– The calm moments you share when your dog finally knows how to settle beside you
– The structure you reinforce with patience and consistency
– The clear “Yes” and “No” that help your dog feel safe and understood
These are the moments that matter.
These are the moments where connection grows.
You don’t need to be in the teaching phase to be central in your dog’s life.
You just need to be the one showing up with clarity, leadership, and care—long after the training ends.
Training builds the foundation.
You bring it to life.
And that’s where the real relationship begins.