Humans Struggle with Motivation Too

When the Treats Don’t Work on Us: Why Humans Struggle with Motivation

At Yooper Paws of Love, we talk a lot about what motivates our dogs—cheese, tug toys, praise, and yes, sniffing every single leaf on the sidewalk. But let’s get real for a moment… What motivates us?

Because if you’re a dog owner, trainer, or just trying your best to help your dog grow, you've probably hit a wall at some point. You meant to train, to play, to go for that walk. But instead, you sat on the couch, scrolled your phone, and sighed, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Humans struggle with motivation too. Here’s why—and how we can gently move forward with more grace and energy.

1. You Don’t Have a Clear Goal

Dogs need clarity (“Sit means put your butt on the ground”). So do we.

If your goal is “train more” or “be better with my dog,” that’s a great start—but it’s too vague to energize action. Try breaking it down:

“Teach my dog to settle on a mat by Friday”

“Play a 5-minute game of tug each morning”

Clear, doable goals are motivating because we can actually see progress.

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2. You’re Burnt Out or Overwhelmed

Life is a lot. Whether it’s work, parenting, health, or just being human, our brains get tired. Motivation isn’t always about laziness—it’s often about depletion.

When your energy is low, be kind to yourself. Maybe today’s training is just a cuddle session. That’s still connection, and that still counts.

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3. You’re Not Seeing the Results You Hoped For

Just like dogs lose interest if rewards dry up, we do too. If you’ve been training and not seeing progress—or worse, seeing setbacks—it’s natural to lose steam.

This is when support matters. Talk to a trusted trainer, celebrate tiny wins, and remember that progress in dog training is rarely linear. Some days feel like magic. Others feel like molasses. Both are part of the journey.

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4. You’re Forgetting to Reinforce Yourself

Yes—you need your own treats! What makes you feel good after a task? A cup of coffee? A quiet moment? A high-five from a friend?

Find a way to reward yourself for the effort you're putting in, even when things aren’t perfect. Motivation grows when it’s nurtured with kindness and celebration, not guilt.

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5. You’re Comparing Your Journey to Someone Else’s

Scrolling social media can make us feel like everyone else has perfect dogs, endless energy, and time to train twice a day. Spoiler alert: they don’t.

Every dog and every human has their own story, pace, and rhythm. Your journey is yours—and it’s worth celebrating exactly where it is.

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6. You’re Not Tapping Into What You Love About This

You didn’t start training your dog just to get them to stop pulling on the leash. You started because you love them. Because you wanted a partnership. Because you saw the spark in their eyes when you connected.

Reconnect with your “why.” Motivation comes more easily when it’s driven by joy, not pressure.

Gentle Reminder: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Motivation ebbs and flows. That’s normal. You’re allowed to have off days. You’re allowed to need support. What matters is that you keep coming back to your dog, to your intention, and to the love that brought you together in the first place.

At Yooper Paws of Love, we’re not just here to train dogs—we’re here to cheer you on, too.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back.

Want to explore your personal motivators and create a training plan that fits your lifestyle? Let’s talk! I’d love to help you find the spark again—on both ends of the leash.

#TrainWithHeart

#MotivationForHumans

#YooperPawsOfLove