08/28/2026
As you have likely experienced with any behavior modification you personally have attempted ā improving your nutrition, cleaning up your language, increasing your frequency or intensity of movement ā progress is not linear. We have good days and bad days. We celebrate the successes and are sometimes discouraged by the setbacks. Overall, though, we recognize and are proud of ourselves when things improve.
The same is true with our dogs. We all wish for that magic wand that we could wave to improve whatever challenges we are facing. Of course, that wand doesnāt exist. Truly changing a behavior takes patience, consistency and perseverance. Progress isnāt linear and thatās completely normal.
We often experience guilt and self-doubt when our dog occasionally has a bad day after several good days. When they regress, we think āweāre back to square one.ā Youāre not though. You havenāt failed. Itās all part of the process.
Just like us, dogs donāt learn in straight lines. Though frustrating, a bad day doesnāt matter. Improvement over time does.
Spread the word because all dog parents need to hear this at one time or another.
Credit: Dr Kate Mornement PhD, CAAB and Lili Chin
