
09/09/2025
Do you see dog training as a "diet" or a "lifestyle change"?
When I think of a diet, my goal is not long term, it is to drop a set amount of weight, with no long term plan to keep that weight off. I will likely go at a completely unsustainable pace for a short period of time. Compared to a lifestyle change which may include getting to the gym on a regular basis, watching food intake, and eating better foods. With a lifestyle change, it may take longer to get to my goals, but I am setting myself up to succeed beyond my short term goal.
With dog training you can follow either of the paths above. You can hire a trainer, and go through the curriculum of the trainer. You will learn a bunch of great ways to manage your dog, and get the best out of your dog. Once that training is over, you can toss the e-collar and prong collar in a drawer because you got to a point that you are content with. Or you can continue to put the prong collar and e-collar on the dog and work with the dog several times a week, repeating what was learned in training. The first path will get you back to where you started, the second path will continue to show progress above the foundation that has already been established.
Which route do you want to go, the "diet" or the "lifestyle change"?