Applying Dog Training to Dieting

I've been thinking that a bit about how helpful it might be for me to apply what I'm learning in dog training to dieting.

Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, says the key to dog training is 1. Exercise 2. Discipline 3. Affection--in that order. Misbehaved dogs often need more exercise. They are bored and restless and have more energy than they know what to do with. Dogs without boundaries don't know what's expected of them. Dogs that only get affection all the time are spoiled and unpleasant for most people to be around.

I'm thinking I should apply these things to my life. Sometimes I think I need more affection and TLC, but it is often my self pity that drives me to the couch and keeps me there. A bit of exercise first and discipline and no treats until I've done something to deserve them would probably make me a more contented person.

The other thing I'm learning in dog training is that you have to let puppy learn to get through feelings of frustration. Our trainer Wendy encouraged us to pick up Yeats and hold her until she struggled and keep holding her til she settled to teach her to live through frustration. Hiding a treat in toy Kong and letting her figure out how to get it out does the same thing.

I imagine if I force myself to live through the moments of frustration instead of feeding them I'd probably learn a lot about myself AND save a few calories!