10 Ways Dog Training is Like Marketing
Created by Jeff Nelson using ChatGPT
Sometimes building your brand feels a lot like trying to get a dog to stop eating your socks. Turns out, dog training and marketing have more in common than you might think.
1️⃣ Consistency is Key
Dog: “Sit means sit — not sometimes, not tomorrow.”
Marketing: Brand messaging works the same way. Be consistent across every touchpoint so your audience always knows who you are.
2️⃣ Use Treats
Dog: “Good behavior? Have a biscuit.”
Marketing: Discounts, loyalty points, exclusive content — give your audience little rewards to keep them engaged.
3️⃣ Timing is Everything
Dog: Late reward = confused dog.
Marketing: A perfectly timed email or ad can make all the difference between conversion and crickets.
4️⃣ Know Your Breed
Dog: Border Collies need to work; Chihuahuas need drama.
Marketing: Gen Z wants vibes. Boomers want value. Customize your approach to your audience.
5️⃣ Repetition Works
Dog: “Sit. Sit. SIT.” Eventually, it sticks.
Marketing: Frequency matters. Your audience often needs to see your message several times before taking action.
6️⃣ Clear Signals Only
Dog: Simple commands work best.
Marketing: Clear calls to action ("Buy Now," "Book a Demo") work better than vague invitations.
7️⃣ Build Trust Slowly
Dog: One bad experience and they’re skeptical.
Marketing: One poor interaction can damage your brand. Trust takes time — and consistency — to build.
8️⃣ Ignore Them? They’ll Eat Your Couch
Dog: Lack of attention = chewed furniture.
Marketing: Neglect your audience and they’ll quickly move on to a competitor.
9️⃣ Adapt to Mood Swings
Dog: Zoomies one minute, nap time the next.
Marketing: Audiences change moods and interests fast. Stay nimble.
🔟 Both End with Poop Bags
Dog: Literally.
Marketing: Sometimes, despite your best planning, things go wrong. Clean up, adjust, and keep going.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're training a puppy or building a brand, success comes down to:
✅ Consistency
✅ Patience
✅ Understanding your audience
✅ Clear communication
✅ Timely rewards
And maybe a few treats along the way.
PS I’m blatantly using ChatGPT.