05/19/2026
With girls due in season, I am beginning to think about puppy plans, puppy families & what is in store for 2026. This post is a must read in my opinion. So well written and clear - a great reminder for all of us no matter what level of training we are at.
I was going to write something similar to caption this photo, but Sean’s wording is just too perfect. ⬇️
“So many struggle imposing structure, rules, discipline, and accountability with their dogs. They feel badly. They feel guilty. They’re worried they’ll make their dogs sad, unhappy creatures, forced to “obey”.
What so many are missing is that it’s the exact opposite. By sharing a more disciplined life with your dog, you earn, and get to enjoy, a bigger, more fun, less stressed life together.
Through that discipline you can earn the freedom to take your dog to restaurants, parks, hikes, beaches. You can have them included in family gatherings, and perhaps even enjoy a simple, relaxing, connected, stress-free walk.
Of course, this is true in our own lives. The more we demand of ourselves, the more freedom, health, and depth of life we enjoy. But even here, with the obvious connection of benefits to our own selves, we still resist.
There’s no doubt that creating discipline, with you or your dog is no easy task - mentally or physically. If it was, everyone would do it. But there’s no getting around the fact that well-behaved dogs get to go a lot more places, and enjoy a lot more life than those who are a mess.
So the decision is up to you. Take the easy way, and endure the harder life, or take the harder way, and enjoy the better life.” - Sean O’Shea
