I truly believe that if love was all that was needed to help solve dogs’ behavioral problems, I would be out of a job. Unfortunately, dogs from very loving and generous homes are coming to us with all sorts of behavior problems.
Love can only go so far in providing stability and a sense of safety in a home, and unfortunately that line is not far from the front door. True trust and respect in your relationship are developed through creating clear boundaries with consistent follow-through. This means rewarding for the things we like and providing consequences for the behaviors that aren’t acceptable. Without this balance, you will have a dog that will make its own rules, and I can guarantee that they won’t line up with yours.