12/17/2024
They say practice makes perfectâand in dog training, that couldnât be more true. Every rep, every session, and every moment you spend teaching your dog a new way to respond is a step toward lasting change.
Take Cristina and her dog Donut, for example. Donut is an adolescent intact male who struggles with reactivity. His default response to many sights and sounds is barkingâa lot of barking. For Donut, this reaction has become second nature, but Cristina isnât giving up. Instead of managing the barking, sheâs tackling it head-on by helping Donut develop an entirely new mindset.
The truth is, reactivity isnât a one-and-done fix. Itâs a habit rooted in how a dog perceives their world. To change that, you have to practiceâand keep practicing. Every day, Cristina shows up for Donut, guiding him through his triggers and teaching him that barking doesnât solve the problem, but looking to her does.
Through repetition, Donut is learning to pause and think instead of reacting. Heâs discovering that calm is a choice he can make. Itâs not always easy, and itâs definitely not perfect, but progress doesnât need to be perfect to be powerful.
Hereâs the thing: practice doesnât just train your dogâit changes them. Each time Donut chooses to stay calm or check in with Cristina, heâs building a new default behavior. And over time, those small wins add up, transforming how he sees the world and responds to it.
For anyone working with a reactive dog, let Cristina and Donut be a reminder that reactivity isnât forever. With consistency, patience, and a whole lot of practice, you can help your dog break old habits and build new ones.
Cristina, your commitment to Donut is inspiring. Your daily practice is paving the way for his progress, and itâs proof that with enough effort, even the loudest barks can turn into quiet confidence. Keep goingâyouâre making incredible strides!