Understanding the Importance of Clear Goals in Dog Training
I was walking with my pack down a hill
toward the off-leash area at
Sherwood Park when we were joined by a
woman and her adorable Golden
Retriever puppy. The puppy was absolutely
thrilled, bouncing around with
excitement—fireworks could hardly have
matched its energy! But, as happy
as the puppy was, the owner seemed
completely overwhelmed. She couldn’t
get a handle on the situation and seemed
unsure how to direct her puppy’s
behavior. In an attempt to calm her dog,
she pulled out treats, but her
puppy didn’t seem interested in training—
only in running and playing with
other dogs.
What struck me the most was that the
woman kept giving her puppy treats,
almost as if the treats themselves were
going to magically solve the
behavior issues. It reminded me of
something I tell my clients at the start
of every training session.
When it comes to dog training, having a
clear goal is everything. Without it,
you’re just improvising, reacting, and
hoping that something works. But
without a clear idea of what you want to
accomplish, you're just guessing.
It's like playing a game without knowing
the rules or the end goal—there's
no direction, and nothing is purposeful.
The Importance of Having a Clear Goal in Training
As a coach, I always ask my clients to
pause and think about the type of
relationship they want with their dog.
What do they want the dynamic to
look like? Once they define that goal,
we can work backward and tailor the
training process accordingly. Without this
clarity, every action you take
—whether it’s using treats, commands, or
techniques—can be a shot in the
dark. You might be doing something that
works for someone else’s dog, but
it won’t necessarily work for you because
you haven’t defined what
success actually looks like for you and
your dog.
Every Action Has a Purpose
Everything you do with your dog, from
giving treats to offering praise or
enforcing boundaries, has the potential to
either bring you closer to your
goal or push you further away. Without
understanding your end goal, it's
easy to get lost in the methods,
techniques, and tips you read about or
hear from others. But if you aren’t clear on
your objective, these methods
won’t help you create the relationship you
truly want.
The Training Method Should Serve Your Goal
It's essential to know that training
methods are just tools—they’re there to
help you reach the specific goal you’ve set
for your relationship with your
dog. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to
dog training, and no one should
tell you what your relationship with your
dog should look like except for
you. Whether you want a relaxed, calm dog
or one that can perform specific
tasks, your goal will determine the
methods and techniques you use.
When you have a clear vision of the
relationship you want with your dog,
your training will be much more
intentional and effective. You'll be more
engaged, the training will feel less like a
chore, and your connection with
your dog will be based on mutual
understanding.
Conclusion
In the case of the Golden Retriever puppy,
the owner was improvising,
reacting to the puppy’s behavior with
treats, hoping it would somehow
resolve the issues. But real change
happens when we take a step back and
decide what we want to achieve with our
dogs, not just in the moment, but
as part of an ongoing relationship.
Define your goals clearly, and the
training methods will fall into place.
So, before you start any training, take a
moment to think about the kind of
relationship you want with your dog.
Only then can you choose the right
techniques and start moving closer to your
desired outcome. A genuine,
positive relationship built on clear goals
is always the most rewarding.
I hope this helps you create a better
life with your dog. See you
next time!