Are We Asking Too Much of Our Dogs?

Michael Baugh CDBC

In 2003, Jon Katz published The New Work of Dogs. He was prescient. Humans were becoming more isolated, divided, and lonely. Dogs, he predicted, would fill the void, becoming surrogates for the human connections we couldn’t find or keep. Even then, our athletic hunters and protectors were trading in their physical roles for emotional ones. Heart Dogs saw us through life’s changes, relationships, heartbreak, big wins and losses.

The New Role of Dogs

We humans have a tendency to change our world faster than we can sometimes keep up. Cultural evolution now outpaces biological evolution. Our brains were built for small tribes and slow change, not endless notifications and global crisis feeds. It’s no wonder we are so stressed. And so sick. So, we look to our dogs for a moment of warmth, some playful nonsense, a bit of meaningful connection.

Here’s the problem, and Katz knew it. All these changes in our lives are putting dogs under new pressures. When I first started as a trainer in 1999, therapy dogs were a novelty. Psychiatric service dogs and emotional support dogs were very rare. Now, they are commonplace. Dogs used to herd and protect cattle, to flush and retrieve game, and to guard property. Today we discourage them from doing any of those things. Instead, we want them to take care of us.

We Changed Their Story

Dogs didn’t change. We haven’t changed all that much either. But we rewrote the storyline. Fast. It’s too much for us. It’s too much for our dogs. And here we are, in counseling and on meds — both of us. And somewhere in the quiet moments, we know something just isn’t right.

What Can We Do Now?

Be with your dog. Your dog is a living, feeling, thinking being. Not a checklist of problems to fix. Spend time with your dog in whatever way makes sense now. We are in this together, changing together, trying to keep up together. Dogs don’t live long. Neither do we. Don’t waste a minute.
Move. We need motion to stay healthy. So does your herder, your retriever, your terrier (or any of the aforementioned mixed). Play with your dog. Learn with your dog.
Get outside. Let your dog sniff. Leave your phone at home and let your eyes wander. Get away from other dogs if it’s safer and follow your dog to follow unfamiliar scents. Some of us call these decompression walks.
Stop outsourcing your dog’s life. Daycare and board-and-trains can be useful. But they are not a substitute for you. That might be a hard line to read. I’m sorry. Humans are clever. We’ve created services to ease ourselves of the burden of having a dog, when all we ever really wanted was … a dog.

Lean into discomfort (together). If we’ve put our social and technological lives on hyper-drive, we’re going to feel it. Our dogs will feel it too. The human and canine brains do not evolve that fast. So, it’s not a matter of keeping up. We have to adapt.

Let your dog turn to you for support. He’s not your therapist or your emotional anchor. You are his. Own that. What about us? We have to turn toward each other. Rekindle an old friendship. Go to book club, or pickleball, or mahjong (whatever your thing is). Be with people. We’re not that bad. And let’s make peace with ourselves. Pray. Meditate. Read inspiring books. See inspiring films. Listen to music.

Take a deep breath. You’re alive.

And damn, look at that dog you have. So sweet. And those eyes. I wonder what’s going on behind those eyes.

Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Sedona, Arizona and Houston, Texas. He specializes in aggressive dog training.

Myth Busting Clicker Training

Michael Baugh CDBC

I’ve clicker trained for a long time, and I can honestly say it remains one of the most impactful tools I teach my clients. If you have used it yourself, you know what I mean. If you haven’t tried it yet, I can’t wait for you to experience how fast dogs learn with it.

Clicker training works because it gives the dog an immediate, consistent signal that marks exactly the behavior you want them to repeat. The click is not a command, it’s not the treat itself, and it certainly does not make the dog behave on its own. It simply tells the dog, Yes. That was the right behavior and then you follow it with food reinforcement. Dogs learn because that click reliably predicts something great is coming. This kind of immediate feedback dramatically accelerates their understanding of what you’re asking for.

One of the first things clients notice when they pick up a clicker is that it changes their timing and focus. When you are concentrating on clicking at that exact moment you see the correct behavior, it naturally hones your observation skills. Many people find themselves less likely to dive into the treat bag too early. They are watching, clicking, and then treating.

There are some common myths about clicker training that I want to clear up because they often keep people from giving it a real shot. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to have the clicker with you all the time, or else your dog will forget everything they learned. That could not be further from the truth. Clickers are tools for the learning phase of a behavior. Once a task becomes fluent and reliable, you can set the clicker aside. Your dog will still perform the behavior; they just don’t need the marker anymore. You might still reinforce with treats or praise periodically, but the clicker itself is retired for that command.

Another myth is that the clicker makes the dog perform. Some people think the sound of the clicker somehow causes the dog to behave. That misinterpretation leads to confusion, especially when a dog doesn’t respond without the clicker in hand. In reality, the clicker teaches the dog to understand exactly what behavior earned reinforcement. It’s a marker. A bridge. A communication shortcut. Nothing more, nothing less.

Some trainers worry that dogs will be dependent on constant clickers and treats forever, but that is also incorrect. Once the behavior is strong, predictable, and reliable, you can begin to thin the rewards. The power of clicker training is that once the learning has happened, the dog remembers the behavior without holding you hostage to the tool.

The bottom line is that clicker training is science-based, positive reinforcement dog training that fosters fast learning, clear communication, and a strong bond between dog and handler. It’s not magic, but it sure feels like it when an “aha” moment clicks for both you and your dog.

Michael Baugh is a dog trainer in Houston, TX. He specializes in aggressive dog training.

National Train Your Dog Month: A Celebration of Connection

Every January, dog trainers across the country come together to celebrate National Train Your Dog Month, a campaign created by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). It started back in 2010 with a simple goal: to remind people that training and socialization are essential to every dog’s well-being.

The APDT put it beautifully: “Training isn’t just about obedience; it’s about building a relationship.” We are creating connection, communication, and compassion between people and their dogs.

Why January? A Fresh Start for You and Your Dog.

January is a season of new beginnings, fresh goals, and a chance to start again. The APDT chose this month to encourage dog owners to start training early in the year, when routines are still being built and possibilities are wide open.

For many families, training often feels like something they’ll “get to later.” But training is not just a box to check. It’s the foundation of your relationship with your dog. It’s how we help them understand our world, feel safe, and make good choices.

“When we teach with kindness, we create understanding instead of fear.” APDT.

The Mission: Build Trust, Not Tension

The official mission of National Train Your Dog Month is to promote reward-based, positive training methods that strengthen the human–animal bond. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s a partnership. It’s about seeing the world through your dog’s eyes and teaching them how to navigate it with confidence.

My Perspective: Training Is a Lifeline for Fearful and Aggressive Dogs

In my work with fearful and aggressive dogs, training isn’t just about teaching skills. We are building safety. Many of our dogs are scared, and react out of self-protection. Training, when done with compassion, gives them a sense of control in a world that often feels unpredictable.

When a fearful dog learns how to pause and look to their person for guidance instead of panicking, that’s training. When an aggressive dog learns that calm behavior makes scary things go away, that’s training too.

Those moments are quiet victories. They build trust one choice at a time.

That’s why I love the spirit of National Train Your Dog Month. It’s not just tricks or obedience titles. We are helping dogs, especially the challenging ones, find calm, confidence, and connection.

Small Steps, Big Change.

If you’d like to celebrate this month with your own dog, start small. Pick one simple skill or routine that builds trust.

Use reinforcement generously. Speak softly. Notice what your dog gets right. The real magic of training is in those small, shared moments: eye contact, a tail wag, a soft sigh of relief.

If you’re working with fear or aggressive dog behavior, reach out for help. Positive reinforcement–based trainers can guide you safely, without punishment or intimidation. You and your dog deserve a relationship built on safety and respect.

A Month for Connection.

So this January, as trainers across the U.S. celebrate National Train Your Dog Month, let’s all take a moment to remember what training truly is: an act of connection.

Every cue, every treat, every quiet moment says to your dog, “You’re safe. You belong. We’re in this together.”

That’s something worth celebrating — this month, and every month after.

Michael Baugh CDBC teaches dog training in Sedona Arizona and Houston Texas. He specializes in aggressive dog training.