Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. While we might be prepared for those changes ourselves, our dogs often struggle to adapt to new routines, environments, and family dynamics. Training for the long haul, not just the now, is essential to creating a well-adjusted, happy dog that fits into every chapter of your life.
Here are a few stories of clients who, like many of us, had to face the reality that how we raise our dogs today directly impacts how they behave tomorrow.
The Strong Owner with a Strong-Willed Dog
One client, a large man, didn’t plan on getting married or having children when he first adopted his dog. His relationship with his dog reflected that lifestyle—he allowed his dog to mouth his hands during play, tug on his sleeves, and even pull on leash because he had the strength to manage it. It was always just him and his dog, and that dynamic worked—for a while.
Fast forward a few years, and now he’s married with a baby. Suddenly, all of those habits that seemed harmless are problematic. The dog is pulling on the leash with his wife, mouthing her during play, and acting out because he wasn’t set up for the changes. What was once a manageable behavior for one person became an issue for the whole family. The dog is now going through a complete training makeover to adjust to his new family life.
The Dog with a Rigid Routine
Another client kept an extremely strict routine for her dog. Every day was the same—same walk, same route, same crate routine, same everything. It created a predictable, comfortable life for the dog, but it also made him dependent on that rigid schedule.
When this couple decided to foster a child, the dog’s world was flipped upside down. The child had a completely different routine, and the dog couldn’t handle the sudden changes. What had once been a perfect, predictable environment became a source of anxiety and stress for the dog.
The Dog That Guarded the Couch—and Its Owner
One client had a dog that guarded her fiercely from other dogs in the household. The dog would growl, snarl, and even cause fights with other dogs to maintain her position by her owner's side on the couch. While the behavior was tolerated for years as "just her personality," it became dangerous when the client had a baby.
Now, that same behavior was directed at people who came close, including her own child. The lack of boundaries set earlier in the dog’s life created a serious safety issue for the family.
What Are You Setting Your Dog Up For?
These examples all highlight one key question: What are you setting your dog up for? Are you preparing them to be resilient, flexible, and accepting of change, or are they becoming too rigid and set in their ways?
Training isn’t just about teaching commands or correcting behaviors for the here and now. It’s about building a foundation that allows your dog to thrive in the face of life’s surprises—whether that’s a new family member, a move to a new home, or a shift in daily routine.
Routines Over Schedules
One of the best ways to help your dog prepare for the future is by focusing on routines over strict schedules. Schedules are rigid—feeding your dog at exactly 7 AM, walking them at 6 PM sharp—but life isn’t always so predictable. Routines, on the other hand, offer structure with flexibility. Maybe you always feed your dog after you eat breakfast, but breakfast happens at different times on weekends versus weekdays. Or you walk your dog every day but vary the route and time to keep them adaptable.
This approach creates resilience in your dog, helping them stay calm and secure even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Embrace Change, Train for the Future
Training should not only address your dog’s needs today but also consider how those needs may evolve over time. Life changes—whether it’s bringing home a baby, adopting another pet, fostering a child, or simply shifting your own schedule—and your dog will need to be ready to adapt.
By training your dog to be flexible and resilient, you’re setting them up for long-term success. Life will throw curveballs, but with the right foundation, your dog will handle them with confidence, and so will you.
If you’re unsure of how to set your dog up for future success, we’re here to help! At Sit n Stay Dog Training, we specialize in creating adaptable, resilient dogs that can handle whatever life brings. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you and your dog through all of life’s changes.