What Dog Training Really Is (And What It’s Not)

One of the biggest misconceptions I run into as a trainer is this: Many people think dog training is like taking your car into the shop. You drop it off, a mechanic tinkers under the hood, and when you pick it up everything runs perfectly.

But this is NOT how dog training works. 

Training isn’t something we can just put on a dog and magically “fix” them. Training is a communication system as well as a living, breathing relationship between you and your dog. From a wider lens, training (and how you live with your dog) teaches them who you are, what you represent, and how they can behave around you.

Training Is a Language

At its core, training is a language between dog and human. It’s how you communicate with your dog. When done well, training creates obvious clarity, teaching a dog what we expect of them as well as what things we will not tolerate. 

When done poorly or inconsistently, dogs can get confused, frustrated, and/or just plain wild. They will form their own conclusions, which are often distressingly accurate:

“Mom only means business sometimes.”

“Dad is fun, but I don’t have to listen to him.”

“I can get away with this if I’m persistent enough.”

In other words, your training is constantly teaching your dog who you are and what you represent. Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? Are you to be loved and respected? Or are you the more of the fun aunt or uncle to your dog? 

So, rather than just asking your dog to sit for a nice snack or teaching a new trick on a rainy day, training can essentially be viewed as how you live with your dog, and how accurate and consistent your communication with them is.  

Can your dog trust you to mean what you say? Will you follow through consistently, only when it’s convenient, or not at all? Will you advocate for your dog’s space if necessary? Will you stick up for them when they are uncomfortable, or will you not even notice that they don’t like cousin Tom chasing them around the house because “dogs love him.” 

What do you represent to your dog? Are you a leader, or just a snuggle buddy? (PS you can absolutely be both, and that is my personal goal when training a dog. These things are not mutually exclusive.)

Training is ultimately a record of how your dog views you.

Why Hiring a Trainer Isn’t About “Fixing” the Dog

When people hire a trainer, they often expect the trainer to “fix” the dog. But here’s the reality: a trainer’s job is only somewhat about training the dog. Yes, that part does need to happen. But the real work lies in coaching the owner to restructure their relationship with their dog.

Which obviously sounds very fluffy. “Restructuring the relationship.” What does that even mean? Well, to me, it means teaching clients how to use my training system, how to build consistency into their routines and to enforce rules and boundaries with their dog. It means showing my clients how to navigate difficult situations with their dog with step-by-step guidance, such that the dog starts to view their owner as a leader, to listen to them, to defer to them, and ultimately to trust them to take care of things and guide them through those challenging situations. 

Yes, I’ll work hands-on with your dog. But the deeper work happens with you. My job is to train your dog, and then to teach you how to have the same level of success that I am able to have with your dog. Because I don’t live with you and your dog.

Final Thoughts

So, what is dog training really? Great dog training encompasses communicating clearly and consistently, setting boundaries and enforcing expectations with meaningful consequences, and building a relationship that balances love, discipline, and leadership.

If you’re ready to move beyond confusion, chaos, or your dog’s selective hearing, it all starts with building that language together.

👉 Want to learn how to become the leader your dog needs? [Let’s talk.]

- Bradley