Start With Why: Finding Purpose in Dog Training and Behaviour

As a dog trainer, I often find myself talking about motivation — both ours and our dogs’. Recently, I was revisiting Simon Sinek’s Start With Why, and it struck me how deeply his ideas relate to the world of dog training and behaviour. Sinek’s central message is simple yet powerful: people and organisations who understand why they do what they do are far more successful and fulfilled than those who only focus on what they do or how they do it. When I thought about that in the context of dogs, it became clear that “starting with why” can make all the difference in understanding and helping our canine companions.  

Understanding Your Dog’s ‘Why’  

Every behaviour a dog displays — good or bad — has a reason behind it. Dogs don’t act out of spite or stubbornness; they act out of need, instinct, or emotion. When a dog jumps up, barks excessively, or refuses to come when called, there’s always a why. Instead of asking “How do I stop this?”, it’s often more productive to ask “Why is this happening?”. Is the dog anxious, excited, seeking attention, or perhaps unsure of what’s expected? By identifying the why behind the behaviour, we can approach training with empathy rather than frustration. For example, a dog that pulls on the lead might not be being “naughty” — they may simply be excited to explore, or they might never have been taught how to walk calmly in a stimulating environment. When we understand the underlying reason, we can design training that meets their emotional and behavioural needs, not just their outward actions. Just like Sinek’s Golden Circle, where why sits at the core and informs the how and what, a dog’s motivations drive their behaviour. Once we understand their “why”, the how (the training plan) and the what (the desired behaviour) start to fall into place much more naturally.  

Knowing Your Own ‘Why’ as an Owner  

Equally important is understanding your own “why” when it comes to training your dog. Why did you bring a dog into your life? Why is good behaviour important to you? When I work with clients who feel stuck or disheartened, we often revisit this question. Maybe their “why” is wanting a calm, confident companion to share adventures with, or to feel proud of how their dog behaves in public. Knowing this purpose helps keep them motivated and compassionate, even when progress feels slow. If your why is simply “because I have to”, training can quickly become a chore. But if it’s “because I want to help my dog feel safe and understood”, your approach naturally shifts from correction to connection. Dogs respond beautifully when we train with intention and empathy — they sense our calm, consistent energy and trust us more deeply as a result.  

Aligning the Two Whys  

The magic really happens when your why and your dog’s why align. If your dog’s why for jumping is to seek attention, and your why for training is to build a respectful, communicative relationship, you can see how meeting that need in a healthier way benefits both sides. By focusing on why instead of just what (“stop jumping”) or how (“turn away, ignore, reward calm”), you begin to connect on a level that fosters understanding, not just obedience. This is where long-lasting behavioural change happens — through empathy, communication, and purpose. Start With Why — and Stay With Why The next time you face a behaviour challenge, pause and ask yourself two questions:  

• Why might my dog be behaving this way?  

• Why do I want to change it?  

Those two answers will shape your entire training journey. Just like Simon Sinek teaches leaders to inspire by clarifying their purpose, we can inspire our dogs by training with clarity, kindness, and consistency. When we start with why, we don’t just teach our dogs what to do — we teach them to trust, to learn, and to feel secure in our guidance. If You’re Ready to Find Your Dog’s Why… If you’d like help understanding your dog’s behaviour or finding your why as an owner, I’d love to work with you. As a behaviourist and dog trainer I focus on creating tailored, compassionate training plans that get to the heart of each dog’s needs — because when we start with why, everything else begins to make sense.