Why I Don’t Rely on Traditional Dog Training Plans (And What I Do Instead)
Spoiler: It’s not about control, it’s about connection.
If you’ve ever Googled “dog training plan for beginners” and felt totally overwhelmed or straight-up defeated… you’re not alone.
You start with good intentions.
You want structure.
You want to feel like you're doing things “right.”
So you download a generic 6-week plan, commit to it…
…and then life happens.
You miss a day.
Your dog doesn’t respond the way the guide said they would.
You feel behind, frustrated, or just plain lost.
Cue the guilt spiral:
“I’m doing something wrong.”
“Why isn’t this working?”
“Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”
Let me say this loud and clear:
✨ You’re not doing anything wrong. The plan is. ✨
Because traditional dog training plans?
They rarely consider the human side of the lead.
📋 The Problem with Traditional Dog Training Plans
Most of them are built around consistency, repetition, and structure.
And while those things absolutely have their place… they fall apart when:
You’re exhausted from a long workday
Your mental health isn’t at its best
Your dog is reacting out of the blue and you don’t know why
Life throws you curveballs (looking at you, unexpected vet bills + toddler meltdowns)
These plans often assume:
You’re calm, emotionally regulated, and fully available at all times.
Your dog will progress in a linear, predictable way.
You’ll follow the schedule perfectly, or feel like a failure if you don’t.
But you’re not a robot. And neither is your dog.
You’re a real human with a real life.
Which is why I take a very different approach.
🌿 What I Do Instead (And What I Teach Inside My Resources)
Instead of a one-size-fits-all plan, I help dog parents build flexible, emotionally intelligent routines that:
Support your mental health and stress levels
Work with your actual lifestyle (not an idealised version of it)
Create calm and connection before you train
Leave space for setbacks, slow days, and mental health wobbles
Why?
Because training doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
It happens in your home, on your street, in your car, and in your body, too.
That’s why I blend:
✔ Dog behaviour training
✔ Emotional regulation for humans
✔ Practical routines that fit into messy, real-life schedules
🧠 The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
Here’s what I believe now (and what I wish someone told me years ago):
You don’t need a rigid plan. You need a repeatable rhythm.
A rhythm that helps you:
Reset after a stressful moment
Reconnect with your dog when things feel hard
Rebuild your confidence, even after a “bad” training day
And that rhythm starts with you.
Because when you feel calmer, clearer, and more confident—your dog responds in kind. They mirror your energy. They follow your lead. They feel safer. And progress happens naturally.
✨ So What Do I Recommend Instead?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, start here:
✅ Step 1: Support yourself first
Before you pick up the lead or practice “heel,” take 5 minutes to reset your own energy.
Feeling grounded first makes your training 10x more effective (and less frustrating).
✅ Step 2: Create an emotional “anchor point”
This is a small, daily ritual that brings you back to calm, so you’re not reacting from stress.
(Think: a breathing practice, a grounding touchpoint, or even a calming cup of tea while your dog chews.)
✅ Step 3: Choose progress over perfection
One calm, connected moment is more powerful than a full hour of reactive chaos.
Don’t worry about perfect routines—aim for realistic ones.
🎁 Want to Learn How to Do This?
I created the Quick Calm Down Kit for overwhelmed dog parents just like you.
Inside, you’ll find:
💛 A gentle reset routine to calm your nervous system
💛 Techniques to help reduce your dog’s chaos (without extra time or effort)
💛 Tools to help you feel more confident, less guilty, and actually capable again
Because here’s the truth:
You don’t need to follow the generic Google / ChatGPT / Phil’s dog down the road’s plan (no offence, Phil!).
You need to feel calm enough to see where you’re at and get some guided, personalised support as you go.
📥 Grab the Quick Calm Down Kit here for just £19 → https://lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk/quick-calm-down-kit-course
Final Thoughts
You’re not failing. You’re just trying to make rigid systems work in a world that isn’t always predictable.
Dog training doesn’t need to feel like pressure.
It can feel like presence.
Like connection.
Like relief.
Let’s leave the “perfect plan” behind, and build something real, sustainable, and supportive instead.
You in? 🐾💛
