Why Living with Your Dog Shouldn’t Feel This Hard
- Deb from Busy Pawz
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Ever feel like everyone else has it figured out?
You walk past someone with a calm, well-behaved dog and think, What am I doing wrong?
Your dog’s barking at every sound, pulling like a freight train on the lead, and reacting before you’ve even had time to think and suddenly you’re questioning everything.
It’s exhausting. It’s lonely. And it can start to chip away at the joy of having a dog at all.
But here’s what I want you to know…
You’re not doing anything wrong.
Living with a dog shouldn’t feel like a daily struggle but for so many people, it does.
Not because they’re “bad owners.” Not because they didn’t “train hard enough.” And definitely not because their dog is broken.
It’s often because they were never shown how to support their dog’s brain, emotions, and environment in a way that actually works for them not against them.
It’s not just a behaviour problem... it’s a communication breakdown.
Most people focus on surface-level behaviour: the jumping, the barking, the chewing, the not listening.
But those things are often symptoms, not causes.
Underneath them is a dog who might be anxious, overstimulated, misunderstood… or just hasn’t yet learned the skills they need to feel safe and calm in the world.
What looks like defiance is often dysregulation. What looks like stubbornness is often confusion. What looks like being “naughty” is often unmet needs.
Behind Every Struggle Is a Skill Gap
When I meet a dog who’s barking, jumping, or chewing up the couch, I don’t see a “naughty” dog. I see a dog who’s missing a skill - like calmness, focus, disengagement, or confidence.
Those behaviours are just symptoms. And when we shift our lens to building the underlying skills rather than just reacting to the behaviour, real change happens.
It’s not about “fixing” your dog. It’s about understanding what’s driving them and giving them tools to handle life better.
There is a better way and it doesn’t involve yelling, yanking, or giving up
The magic starts when we meet our dogs where they are.
When we shift our focus from stopping bad behaviour to teaching better choices.
When we start playing games that build confidence, calmness, and connection.
When we stop trying to be the boss and start becoming the partner our dog actually needs.
It doesn’t take perfection.
It doesn’t even take hours of training every day.
It just takes a clear plan, a bit of play, and the right kind of support.
You’re not alone in this.
I’ve worked with so many dog owners who were on the verge of giving up. Who felt frustrated, heartbroken, or just… stuck.
And I’ve seen the shifts that happen when they finally feel seen, understood, and supported.
It’s not about doing more - it’s about doing differently.
If things feel hard right now, know this: You’re not failing. You just haven’t been given the tools that work for you and your dog yet.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for things to feel easier for both you and your dog, I’ve got something special for you.
💡 My new online course Beneath the Bark is now open. It’s designed for overwhelmed owners who want to calm the chaos and build a better life with their dog not in spite of them.
It’s fun, practical, gentle, and deeply supportive. Just like training should be.
🐾 Learn more and join here → www.busypawz.com.au/dog-training-online-course
Thanks for reading—go give your dog a treat just for being them. 💛Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew
P.S. If you haven’t yet grabbed my free guide Chaos to Calm, it’s a great place to start.👉 Download it here
Thanks for reading!
Throw your dog a treat from us... and enjoy one for yourself too!
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo
P.S. If you haven’t yet grabbed my free guide Chaos to Calm, it’s a great place to start.