Software Is Like a Puppy—But You Don’t Have to Train It Alone

Buying technology is not like buying a couch. It’s more like getting a puppy.

At the beginning there is a lot of work. Potty training, establishing patterns for feeding and going out, trips to the vet for checkups and shots, training on limits such as not being allowed to grab food from the counter or climbing on the couch.

The same exists for most software: training the team to use the software, setting up policies around updates, sharing information, getting used to the flow of software, setting up forms, and figuring out which reports are needed.

Then, about a year later, you’ve settled into your cadence, you know when to update the site, what it means to apply security updates, and how new features work. It’s the same with a dog. Yearly vet visits, feeding, taking it for walks, bathing and grooming, and reaching out to a vet when something isn’t right. Less work than the puppy years but still requires work.

In tech, it is a paradigm shift from the older model of purchasing where you bought the license for life and only updated if you wanted new features.

While it does seem a bit unfair, it’s important to remember that software connected to the internet will – at the very least – need security updates as people are actively trying to hack your site.

We often hear, “Our site isn’t big—no one’s going to hack it.”

But cyberattacks aren’t personal; they’re opportunistic.

If your tech isn’t properly maintained, it can be used to mine crypto, relay spam, or worse—all without you knowing. And that’s just security. Add in feature updates, bug fixes, performance optimization… and you’ve got a lot on your plate.

Remember, much like the subtle complexity of your organization’s mission and work, the same applies to the complex world of tech.

Like hiring a dog trainer or taking your pet to a groomer, trusting professionals to manage your software ensures it gets the care it needs—so your team can stay focused on what you do best.