We Are In This Together

I’ve often heard it said that training is 10% the trainer and 90% the family—and wow, is that true. Real change doesn’t happen in a training session alone; it happens at home, through consistency and commitment from the whole family.

As trainers, our job is to lay the foundation. From there, it takes time, patience, and practice to build on that base. At the heart of it all is the relationship between you and your pup. When there’s balance, there’s harmony. When things get out of balance, that’s when struggles often show up.

Structure, boundaries, and accountability are the keys to a healthy, happy partnership with your dog. Showering them with endless affection, toys, or treats, or letting them run the household might feel good in the moment, but it doesn’t create the kind of balance that sets you both up for success. Sometimes it means asking ourselves tough but important questions: What do I want my relationship with my dog to look like? Do I want my dog to listen in any situation? Do I want to build a bond based on leadership and trust?

And here’s another big one: Is it more important for my dog to have a strong relationship with me—or to have free rein with every dog and person they meet? Allowing pups to interact with everyone they come across can actually weaken the bond and make it harder to hold their attention when it matters most.

We bring dogs into our lives because they are amazing companions who add so much joy. But part of giving them the best life means remembering that they look to us for guidance, structure, and connection. When we provide that balance, the relationship truly flourishes.

And if you ever feel stuck along the way, just know—you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s exactly what we’re here for at The Clever Canine: to support you and your pup on your journey together.