On Losing the Motivation to Train Your Dog

If you have ever felt like you are “failing” with your dog’s training, you are not alone. Life ebbs and flows, and your energy, capacity, and motivation go right along with it.

I have experienced this myself, even as a dog trainer who genuinely loves training. During the first trimester of my pregnancy, my motivation to train my own dog was basically nonexistent. I was tired, nauseous, and just trying to get through the day. Training felt like the last thing I had in me. I let months pass without training anything new.

This experience really reinforced something I talk to clients about all the time. Self shame is not helpful. It does not motivate you. It actually pushes you further away from taking action. When you start telling yourself that you are lazy, inconsistent, or bad at training, it becomes that much harder to start again.

A five minute training session once a day will take you so much further than one long, ambitious session once a week that you keep putting off. Training does not have to be this big, structured event. It can be small, woven into your daily life, and still incredibly effective.

There will be seasons where training is not a priority, and that does not make you a failure. The important thing is not letting those breaks turn into a fixed mindset where you start to believe you are someone who just cannot follow through. You are not incapable. You are human!

Something I come back to often is that training is not about perfection in the moment. You are putting in small amounts of effort now so that on the days when life feels chaotic or your health takes a hit, your dog already has the skills to navigate the world with you.

Training is what supports the lazy days. The sick days. The days where you just do not have much to give. So if you are in a low motivation season, take a break or do something small. Your future self and your dog will thank you for it.

A Dog Trainer's Guide to Potty Training a Puppy

There is nothing cuter and nothing messier than bringing home a new puppy. Potty training is one of the first major skills dogs need to learn. While accidents are normal in the beginning, a clear routine and consistent supervision can make the process much smoother.

At its core, potty training is half rewarding the correct behavior and half prevention. Your goal is to create as many opportunities as possible for your dog to succeed while preventing repeated indoor accidents.

Set a Consistent Schedule

Dogs learn fastest when they have predictable opportunities to go outside. Take your dog out:

• First thing in the morning

• After meals

• After naps

• After play sessions

• Before bedtime

• Every 1–2 hours for young puppies

Consistency helps your dog understand where and when to eliminate.

Supervise Indoors

Most potty training setbacks happen when puppies have too much freedom too soon.

Put up barriers so your puppy is not wandering throughout the house unsupervised. Use baby gates, pens, leashes, or tethers to keep them near you so you can quickly notice signs they need to go out.

Allowing puppies to roam freely often leads to accidents happening out of sight. This creates frustration for people and reinforces indoor pottying for the puppy.

Watch for signs they may need to go out, including:

• Sniffing

• Circling

• Wandering away

• Suddenly stopping play

• Heading toward doors or corners

If you cannot actively supervise, use a crate or small puppy-safe area.

Reward Outdoor Pottying

When your dog eliminates outside, reward immediately. Use treats, praise, or both.

Timing matters. Reward within a few seconds so your dog clearly associates the reward with going potty outdoors.

Many people wait until they return inside, which can make the lesson less clear.

Use the Crate Correctly

Dogs naturally avoid eliminating where they sleep, which makes crates useful for potty training.

The crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not large enough to use one side as a bathroom.

Crates should support training, not replace supervision or exercise. If your dog is just not tolerating the crate right now, an X pen is a great alternative.

Interrupt, Don’t Punish

If you catch your dog having an accident indoors, calmly interrupt and bring them outside. If they finish outside, reward them.

Do not punish accidents after the fact. Dogs do not connect delayed punishment to something they did earlier. Punishment can also create anxiety around pottying in front of people, leading them to hide around the house to have accidents out of your sight.

Instead, focus on improving management and supervision.

Clean Accidents Thoroughly

Use an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet messes. Regular household cleaners may not fully remove odors, and lingering scent can encourage repeat accidents. For soaked in messes, I use soap and hot water, followed by Pine Sol, followed by an enzymatic cleaner, followed by essential oil.

Expect Setbacks

Potty training is not always linear. Changes in schedule, stress, excitement, illness, or adolescence can temporarily disrupt progress.

If accidents suddenly increase after a period of success, consider:

• Has the routine changed?

• Is supervision slipping?

• Is the dog getting outside often enough?

• Could there be a medical issue?

Be Patient

Most dogs become reliably potty trained through repetition, consistency, and clear routines. The process takes time, especially for young puppies.

Focus less on perfection and more on creating successful habits your dog can repeat every day.

Beaches and Hikes for Reactive Dogs in Marin County

If you have a reactive dog in Marin, you’ve probably felt the tension between wanting to get your dog out and knowing most popular spots are a setup for failure.

Marin is incredibly dog-friendly… which is exactly what makes it hard.

Here are my go-to recommendations for beaches and hikes that tend to work for reactive dogs.

1. Kehoe Beach

A more rugged, natural beach with wildlife considerations and leash rules.

If your goal is space and calm this is a great option. I have taken reactive dogs here with success. My only warning is that you need to hike a narrow path to get to the beach. You may run into dogs on this path so being able to control your dog on leash in reactive moments is key. Most people respect the on leash rule. Some do not.

2. Limantour Beach

This is where I send clients who say, “My dog just needs room to breathe.” Not all beaches in Point Reyes are dog friendly, but the ones that are, are great spots for reactive dogs or dogs who need space. We are so lucky to live so close to this national seashore, and most residents of the rest of the bay area are not willing to make the trek out here, especially on week days or weekend evenings.

3. Roy's Redwood Preserve

A quieter redwood grove that tends to attract a more mellow crowd. The trails at Roy's are next to Spirit Rock Meditation Center. I have taken dogs on leash hikes here many times and rarely run into other dogs. If you go over the bridge there is a little pond that you can sit by with your dog and just relax. My only warning here is that you want to make sure your dog has good flea/ tick prevention. I have been bit by a tick here, so just keep a heads up and do a tick check.

4. Mount Tamalpais Watershed

There are miles of on leash trails here, which is exactly what you want with a reactive dog. There may be narrower areas of trail where you need to be able to handle and engage your dog while passing another dog. For the most part, people respect the on leash rules and are respectful of other hikers. There are so many trails to choose from here and you will get some amazing views. This is the only area on Mt. Tam that allows dogs, the southern part outside of the watershed does not.

5. Cross Marin Trail 

The cross Marin trail is a well known but not too crowded trail that allows dogs on leash. I like to park at Samuel P Taylor Campground (also my favorite spot to camp with dogs in Marin). The trails here are wide and allow for ample room to pass other people and dogs. Its also just peaceful area to be, surrounded by redwoods and a babbling brook.

Where I’d Avoid (for now)

Some places are just not set up for reactive dogs. That doesn’t mean “never,” but “not yet.”

• Andy’s Local Market (Loch Lomond grassy area)

  Small, popular off-leash space. There are dogs playing fetch in the grass, but dogs can easily wander into the bay or into the outdoor dining area at Andy's. This is a popular spot for kids too, which can be another trigger. This is a great spot for the social butterfly dog or a dog with solid recall who does not feel stressed out by crowds.

• Rodeo Beach

  Rodeo is where a lot of training gaps get exposed. If your dog struggles with over-arousal or rude greetings, it will show up here. This beach is convenient for Marin residents and city residents alike so it can be crowded- which is what some dogs love..

• Red Hill Dog Park

  Red Hill Dog park is located behind the Safeway on Sir Francis Drake in San Anselmo. It is convenient for so many San Anselmo locals and is one of the only fenced in dog parks for miles. It is very popular, and therefore can get pretty crowded, especially on evenings and weekends. It is also relatively small. I definitely advise against this one for reactive dogs.

• Terra Linda Sleepy Hollow Ridge

  This open space area has some of the best views in central Marin. It also consists mainly of fire roads where dogs are allowed off leash, and some confusingly marked side trails where dogs are either not allowed or allowed on leash (some signage is lacking, so don't be surprised if you get stopped by a ranger). I don't recommend this one for reactive dogs simply because of how many off leash dogs there are here. If your dog is an off leash social butterfly with solid recall, this one is great.