How do You get Your Dog to do That? Discipline

The definition for discipline in part is: “Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.” Notice how that is more of a neutral definition without any punishment? Discipline can certainly include punishment, but punishment isn’t an inherent part of it. Discipline also includes guidance, which, depending on how good of a role model you are, can also be a positive aspect.

When I discipline Waffles the dog, I give her positive guidance, positive role modeling (especially when it comes to attitude), and primarily positive rewards. Do I discipline the hell out of her? You bet I do!

So now you have a more balanced sense of discipline and know that it isn't just negative consequences. This will help your dog immensely, but what about you? Do you have the discipline to train your dog? Are you disciplined enough to get up 15 or 20 minutes early to train in the morning before you head to school? Then will you have the discipline to happily train some more after a hard day at school and/or work?

It's relatively easy to do that for a couple/three days in a row when the weather is nice, but I find many people's discipline withers in the lightest rain or cold. Then to keep that up for weeks at a time is hard. Consistently applying your training when it gets hard shows your character and how much discipline you want to apply.

There is no substitute for self-discipline. You have to do it. Nothing can save you from it. Even rich people who can afford all the training in the world will have limited success if they don't go out and train their own dogs.

This is where I see many people fail. They want good results, but lack the discipline to apply the necessary training to achieve the desired results.

You have to do it. If you don't do it, it won't get done. That may sound obvious, but many of us don't truly understand it. We quit at the smallest inconvenience or at the smallest mistake, yet we seem to have no problem spending tons of energy on excuses to justify our lack of discipline. Instead of spending that energy making lame excuses, wouldn't it make sense to invest that energy in actually applying one's training methods? If one did that, I suspect that one would actually accomplish something.

We want it all and with a minimum amount of effort and time. While striving to put out the least amount of energy to get maximum results is a good goal, it cannot overshadow that one needs to actually do something to accomplish one's goals.

Without discipline for your dog, you will fail. Without discipline for yourself, you will fail. It starts with you. Are you up to it?

Love You Oodles and Gobs,
Dad :)