You’re Not Behind: Why Your Dog’s Pace Is the Right Pace

If you’ve ever thought “My dog should be better by now”, you’re not alone.

So many dog owners come to training feeling behind — behind their neighbour’s dog, behind social media dogs, behind where they thought their dog would be by now. And that feeling can quietly suck the joy out of training.

Here’s the truth you need to hear today:

You’re not behind. And neither is your dog.

Dogs Don’t Learn on a Timeline

Dogs don’t care about calendars, milestones, or how long it’s “supposed” to take.

They learn through:

• Repetition

• Emotion

• Environment

• Confidence

And all of those things change daily.

A dog who recalls perfectly in class might struggle at the beach. A puppy who nails a sit today might forget it tomorrow. An adolescent dog might look like they’ve deleted all prior training overnight.

None of that means you’ve failed.
It means your dog is learning like a dog.

Comparison Steals Confidence (From You and Your Dog)

One of the fastest ways to feel discouraged is comparison.

You don’t see:

• How long someone else trained

• What support they had

• What challenges their dog started with

• What’s edited out of the video

When you compare your real-life dog to someone else’s highlight reel, you lose sight of the progress you are making.

And dogs feel that pressure too.

Training works best when it’s relaxed, curious, and playful — not when it’s rushed or loaded with expectations.

Progress Isn’t Linear (and That’s Normal)

Learning doesn’t move in a straight line.

It looks more like:

• Two steps forward

• One step sideways

• A random leap

• A brief regression

• Then a sudden “oh!” moment

That doesn’t mean training isn’t working.
It means learning is happening under the surface.

Those “messy” stages are often where the biggest growth happens.

Your Dog’s Pace Is Built From Who They Are

Your dog’s learning speed is shaped by:

• Genetics

• Early experiences

• Confidence levels

• Age and development

• The environment you’re training in

A sensitive dog may need more time to feel safe.
A high-energy dog may need learning broken into games.
A busy household may mean progress looks different — and that’s okay.

There is no prize for finishing training the fastest.
The goal is a dog who feels confident, connected, and happy to learn with you.

Slow Training Is Strong Training

When you slow down, you:

• Build deeper understanding

• Create reliable behaviours

• Strengthen your relationship

• Reduce frustration (for both of you)

Rushing often creates gaps.
Taking your time builds foundations that last.

What Actually Matters

Instead of asking:

“Why aren’t we further along?”

Try asking:

• Is my dog more confident than before?

• Are we communicating more clearly?

• Is training feeling easier or more enjoyable?

• Do we recover faster from mistakes?

Those are the real signs of progress.

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

If you’re showing up.
If you’re learning.
If you’re choosing kindness over pressure.
If you’re still trying — even on hard days.

You are not behind.

Your dog doesn’t need perfection.
They need patience, clarity, and trust.

And you’re already giving them exactly what they need — at exactly the right pace.