12/16/2025
There's nothing wrong with managing a dog's behavior. It's true, it doesn't teach them how to make the right choice on their own, but in the long run it is better than allowing them to build a bad habit. I think it's important when raising a dog just like raising a small child to use a combination of management and teaching.
Management vs. Training — what’s the difference? 🤔
These two terms get used interchangeably in dog training, but they are not the same.
Management is about controlling the environment so unwanted behaviors don’t happen in the first place. This might look like using gates, crates, leashes, or distance to prevent jumping, chewing, counter surfing, or over-arousal. Management is immediate and keeps dogs (and humans) safe!
Training is about teaching your dog what to do instead. Through repetition and reinforcement, dogs learn behaviors like sit, settle, leave it, and recall. Training takes time, but it creates long-term behavior change.
Here’s the key part:
👉 Management prevents rehearsal of unwanted behavior.
👉 Training builds the behaviors you want to see more of.
The most effective dog training plans use both. Management supports learning, and training makes management less necessary over time.
That being said, it is also okay to JUST use management in situations when you feel you need it! As a busy parent, management is essential to both your success and the success of your dog and baby or toddler!
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