Why I Believe Dog Training Should Be Fun—For Both Ends of the Leash

If you’ve spent any time training with me, you’ve probably heard me say this: if training your dog isn’t fun, you’re doing it wrong.

For the dog.
For the human.
For everyone involved.

Because when training is joyful, it works better. And when it’s not? Well—that’s when we start seeing dogs disengage, people get frustrated, and the relationship suffers.

I’ve seen it in my own journey, and I see it every day with my clients: when we bring play, curiosity, and celebration into training, the results are better—and the bond between dog and person grows stronger.

My Early Days: Learning This the Hard Way

When I first started training, I wasn’t focused on fun—I was focused on outcomes. Did the dog sit? Did they stay? Could I get compliance?

The trouble is, when you approach training like a checklist or a battle of wills, it drains the joy right out of the process. And it damages trust.

I had to learn this the hard way. And it was Roo who helped teach me.

Roo’s Lesson

When Roo came into my life, I was still making the shift toward positive reinforcement.

Early on, I noticed something important: if I got too serious or controlling in a training session, Roo would disengage.
But if I smiled, played, and treated training like a game, she would light up—focused, joyful, eager to participate.

That experience changed how I approached every dog I’ve worked with since.

Training is communication. And communication built on tension and correction creates stress. Communication built on joy and shared success creates trust and enthusiasm.

Bagheera’s Training Game

Bagheera is another constant reminder that training should be fun.

One of her favorite games is "middle"—coming to stand between my legs. We use it for all sorts of things: building confidence in crowds, reconnecting when she’s distracted, and just as a playful interaction between us.

If I cue "middle" in a cheerful voice and celebrate with her, Bags comes running in with a huge grin, tail wagging, ready to play.

That joy spills over into the rest of our training. When your dog wants to engage with you, everything you teach becomes easier—and more meaningful.

Baloo and the Power of Play

Baloo, my yellow Lab, was a dog who loved life—and loved to play.

If I kept training too rigid or serious, Baloo would start inventing his own version of the exercise or throw in a little extra flair—his not-so-subtle way of saying, “Hey, can we make this more fun?”

I learned to meet him there. We’d mix in play breaks, use games as rewards, and keep the tone light. The result? He stayed focused longer, learned faster, and had a blast doing it.

Why It Matters

Here’s why I believe fun belongs at the heart of dog training:

✅ It builds engagement—dogs choose to participate when training is enjoyable.
✅ It reduces stress—both for the dog and for you.
✅ It strengthens the relationship—shared play builds trust faster than drills.
✅ It improves learning—dogs learn better when they feel safe and joyful.
✅ It keeps YOU motivated—training that feels like a chore won’t last. Training that feels like play? That’s sustainable.

Bringing Fun Into Your Training

You don’t have to be a comedian or a circus trainer to bring more fun into your sessions. Here are a few simple ways to do it:

👉 Use games as part of your training (trick training is perfect for this).
👉 Let your dog "win" frequently—success should be easy and frequent, especially early on.
👉 Celebrate! Smile, laugh, move, use joyful voice tones.
👉 Keep sessions short and playful.
👉 Pay attention to what your dog enjoys—and lean into it.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, dog training isn’t just about behavior change. It’s about building a life together.

And life with your dog should be joyful.

So the next time you head into a training session, ask yourself: how can I make this more fun—for both of us?

I promise—if you do, you’ll see your dog’s eyes light up. And you just might find yourself having more fun too.