Cesar Millan failed me—but my hooman didn’t. Ever wondered what happened next?

From Chaos to Calm: How 2 Years of Dog Training Changed My Life (and My Hooman's Too)

Why every dog mum should hear this tail before judging that 'badly behaved' pooch at the park

*"He’s just a stubborn breed."*

That’s what countless well-meaning hoomans told mine when I was doing Olympic-level zoomies through the backyard while she shouted, begged, then finally tried to bribe me with liver treats the size of her palm. Did I slow down? Briefly—for a sniff—but then I was back at it: chasing air, ignoring commands, and definitely not sitting like a good boy should.

Yep. I was that dog. The one bouncing off the walls, refusing to heel, treating every walk like a high-stakes squirrel pursuit. Cute on Instagram? Sure. Sustainable in real life? Not even close.

“Dog school dropout” was almost my nickname—until one small routine turned the whole tail around.

Sit. Stay. Miracle?

My hooman gave me two years of obedience training. Not two Saturdays. Not a crash course during puppyhood. Two whole years of structure, patience, and (I'll admit) a truckload of cheese-based motivation.

The result? I now sit on command at the park, wait until told to eat my dinner (yes, really), and I’ve stopped launching myself into unsuspecting guest laps mid-snack. Once it took three hoomans to coax me into the car. Now I hop in like we’re off to the pawspa.

Was it magic? Nope. It was repetition, connection, and one hooman determined to help me be the best version of my tail-wagging self.

Treats Are Great—But Here’s What Training Really Gave Us

1. Communication That Actually Works

Before training, we were using different languages—me barking and bolting, her sighing and googling. Now? We’ve got signals, cues, and actual understanding. She reads my tail-flicks like tea leaves. I know when a tone means “Sit,” not “Let’s make this more dramatic.”

2. Confidence—for Both Ends of the Leash

It’s funny—when I started trusting the routine, I chilled out. Like, properly. Knowing what’s coming next made me less panicky in new places. And my hooman? She walks taller now. Literally. No more slouching behind a leash that’s pulling in 97 different directions.

3. Daily Life Got Way Less Stressy

• No more wrestling me into a harness like it’s a medieval joust.
• Visitors can wear black without fear of muddy paw prints.
• The vet doesn’t need three assistants just to check my ears.

But Thor, Two Years? That’s a lot of sit. And stay.

Yep. But here's the squeaky ball truth—it wasn’t about creating the perfect pup. It was about building a rhythm we could both live with. My training wasn’t intense every day. Some weeks it looked like structured playtime. Others, it meant calmly walking past barking letterboxes and not losing my furry marbles.

And because I got the time I needed to get it, the changes stuck. It wasn’t a ‘fix me quick’ deal. It was a slow wag toward a balanced life.

How Can You Decide If Your Dog Needs ‘Extra School’?

Look For These Clues:

• They know the commands but only listen when food’s involved.
• They act like a genius at home—but forget their name at the park.
• You feel more frustrated than connected during walkies.
• They’re doing what worked as a pup—but now they’re 35kg of chaos.

None of this means your dog is a “problem.” It simply means you’ve got untapped potential—and probably a few unchewed training treats waiting to be rediscovered.

But Is It Worth the Work?

I’ll let my hooman answer that:

“One day, I realised I hadn’t had to shout ‘Thor, LEAVE IT!’ all week…” she said. “I cried and gave him half a roast chicken.”

That’s the reward, mates. Peace. Trust. And sometimes, poultry.

Status Update: Thor, Certified Good Boy

Truth is, ‘well-trained dog’ doesn’t mean buttoned-up robot. I’m still cheeky. Still obsessed with possums. Still offering pawshakes even when no one asked. But now, my hooman and I are in it together. Walking side by side—her with her coffee, me with my new favourite command: “Let’s go!”

Training isn’t a punishment.

 It’s friendship… with structure and snacks. And every dog deserves both. Even the ones who took two years (and three doormats) to figure it out.

Until next biscuit, stay obedient-ish 🐾

– Thor

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