Motivation Is Easy. Commitment Is What Changes Things.
At the start of a new year, motivation is everywhere.
We feel hopeful.
We feel ready.
We feel excited about change.
We make plans.
We set goals.
We imagine things being better.
And that motivation feels good. But motivation doesn’t last.
Motivation Comes and Goes
Motivation shows up when things are easy.
It shows up when:
the weather is good
life feels calm
energy is high
progress feels quick
But motivation fades when:
you’re tired
your dog has a bad day
behaviour doesn’t change right away
things feel messy or slow
And this is where most people get stuck.
Not because they don’t care.
Not because they’re lazy.
But because they were relying on motivation to carry them through.
Commitment Is What Carries You When It’s Hard
Real change doesn’t come from feeling motivated. It comes from:
showing up when it’s hard
sticking to the plan when progress feels slow
doing the right thing even when you’re frustrated
staying consistent when results aren’t obvious
That’s commitment. And commitment is quieter than motivation — but far more powerful.
Dog Training Is No Different
Every January, people set dog training goals. They want:
calmer walks
less reactivity
better listening
fewer big behaviours
more ease at home
At first, motivation is high. But then:
the dog reacts again
the behaviour doesn’t disappear
progress feels uneven
doubt creeps in
And this is where people either:
change the plan too fast
give up
or try to push harder instead of staying steady
Training Isn’t About Feeling Good Every Day
Training isn’t about being excited all the time.
It’s about:
doing small things well
repeating them often
staying patient
trusting the process
adjusting when needed
not quitting when it gets uncomfortable
Some days feel great.
Some days feel flat.
Some days feel frustrating.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t working.
It means you’re in the middle of it.
Progress Comes From Grit, Not Hype
Lasting behaviour change comes from:
consistency over intensity
commitment over motivation
patience over pressure
It comes from doing the basics well — even when no one is watching and no quick wins are showing up.
That’s how dogs learn.
That’s how habits change.
That’s how trust is built.
Some days feel great.
Some days feel flat.
Some days feel frustrating.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t working.
It means you’re in the middle of it.
A Better Way to Think About the New Year
Instead of asking: “Am I motivated enough?”
Try asking: “Am I willing to stay with this when it’s hard?”
Because motivation will fade. But commitment can stay.
And when it does, change follows.
The Takeaway
Motivation starts the journey. Commitment carries it forward.
If you want real change with your dog this year, don’t aim to feel motivated every day.
Aim to stay consistent, kind, and steady — especially on the hard days.
That’s where the real work happens.
If you’d like help applying your commitment to improving you and your dogs lives, I can support you in a few different ways.
Through Canine Caregivers, I offer online courses and webinars to build understanding, structure, and consistency at your pace.
If you’re based in Sydney, I also offer 1:1 training across Sydney, socialisation and puppy classes, and can provide all recommended training equipment to support the work we’re doing.
I offer The Complete Care training program that covers every single base you will need as well as The Starter Program which allows you to tailor the training and support you need with flexibility.
👉 Join Canine Caregivers
📞 Or get in touch for 1:1 help in Sydney
— Ian
Bondi Behaviourist
“A healthy dog is a happy dog and a happy dog is great to live with”.
