May 19, 2026 · 12 min · 9 segments
This episode explores one of the biggest realities in canine behavior work: the strongest predictors of success are often not about the dog at all. After working with thousands of dogs with…
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This is probably the single most important factor, and it's why I have it first.
If an owner genuinely believes improvement is possible and that they can do it, they can affect that change, that mindset changes everything about how they approach the process, and it's not only about them thinking they can do it, but them thinking their dog can also make that change.
But if they come into the case emotionally defeated from day one, success becomes a lot harder.
I'll occasionally hear statements early in a consult that goes something like this.
"I don't think this dog can be helped, but I figured I should try something before euthanizing the dog for this behavior." Now, listen, I understand where that comes from, believe me.
Some owners are burned out, embarrassed, that's a big one I see, scared, frustrated, are grieving what they hoped life with that dog would look like, and it's really kinda sad to see those things, and they're real.
It affects motivation, consistency, follow-through, emotional energy, and even how owners interact with the dog on a daily basis.
But they're often the ones who maintain realistic hope and stay emotionally engaged in the process.
Just belief that improvement is possible and that they can affect it and the dog can learn it.
Belief that you can do the necessary work to improve your dog and that the dog can improve matters tremendously.
Belief helps us get through many problems in our lives, not just with our dogs.
This is probably the single most important factor, and it's why I have it first.
If an owner genuinely believes improvement is possible and that they can do it, they can affect that change, that mindset changes everything about how they approach the process, and it's not only about them thinking they can do it, but them thinking their dog can also make that change.
But if they come into the case emotionally defeated from day one, success becomes a lot harder.
I'll occasionally hear statements early in a consult that goes something like this.
"I don't think this dog can be helped, but I figured I should try something before euthanizing the dog for this behavior." Now, listen, I understand where that comes from, believe me.
Some owners are burned out, embarrassed, that's a big one I see, scared, frustrated, are grieving what they hoped life with that dog would look like, and it's really kinda sad to see those things, and they're real.
It affects motivation, consistency, follow-through, emotional energy, and even how owners interact with the dog on a daily basis.
But they're often the ones who maintain realistic hope and stay emotionally engaged in the process.
Just belief that improvement is possible and that they can affect it and the dog can learn it.
Belief that you can do the necessary work to improve your dog and that the dog can improve matters tremendously.
Belief helps us get through many problems in our lives, not just with our dogs.
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