The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for software-defined client device management. Specifically, a network device can cause a client device to switch association with a first access point to a second access point. The network device determines whether a number of times the client device has been caused to switch association with an access point exceeds a threshold value for the first period of time. If not, the network device causes the client device to switch to an association with a third access point. Also, the network device determines a configuration indicating when any access point with which a client device is associated may be modified. Based on the configuration, the network device determines whether an association of the client device should not be modified. Also, based on one or more attributes, the network device selectively causes the client device to switch an association.