When you're knee-deep in dog training, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder if having a well-behaved dog is even possible. The chewed-up shoes, stained carpets, and scratched limbs can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. But fear not, my fellow dog lover, for there's a crucial step you may have been hesitant to take.

You see, I know something about you. I know that you're an absolute dog fanatic, willing to do anything to provide the best life for your furry companion. And that's commendable! But here's the thing—you need to balance that compassion with setting clear boundaries.

In order for your dog to become well-behaved and trained, you must establish what is and isn't acceptable behavior and consistently enforce those limits. It's absolutely crucial! By giving your dog limitations, you prevent unwanted behavior from happening in the first place.

Now, I get it. It's easy to feel guilty about restricting your dog. But here's the truth—setting restrictions and boundaries actually make both your lives easier and your dog happier. Take, for example, the scenario of your dog destroying your belongings while you're at work. If your dog isn't confined to a crate or a restricted area, it's time to rethink the situation.

I often encounter owners who feel bad about crating their dogs all day and opt to give them free reign in the bedroom. But here's the thing, my friend—enough is enough! Dogs, like children, need to learn boundaries. They won't restrict themselves on their own. By confining your dog to a restricted space when you're not around, you teach them where their limits lie.

Once your dog understands their boundaries, you can gradually grant them more freedom. However, if they start misbehaving again, it's essential to take a step back and reinforce those limitations. Many dog owners make the mistake of starting with complete freedom and no boundaries, only to realize that their dogs take longer to overcome unwanted behaviors.

Telling your dog "NO" without enforcing anything is like expecting them to stop chewing on a slipper while leaving it within reach. It just won't work. Similarly, if your puppy has accidents because they have free roam of the house, redirecting them won't be enough. You need to limit their freedom and set boundaries to prevent those accidents from happening.

Setting limitations, restrictions, and boundaries for your pup will make both your lives easier and happier. You'll both understand what's expected, and your dog will learn faster without misbehaving.

Happy Dog Training!