01/28/2025
My dog training mantra so far in 2025: Train deliberately.
In the last month I've had this awesome discussion with several of my owners. I wanted to share it with you.
Being deliberate, or staying in the moment, with your dog isn't easy but it's critical. Every moment is a training moment when you are working toward new behavior. Do not miss the opportunities between now and your next goal.
Let me give you an example.
Let's say you'd like to take your dog to the park for a nice controlled walk. You don't want them pulling on you, jumping on people, barking at other dogs, all of that great manners stuff.
Your training session does not begin at the park.
Here's what that walk-the-dog session actually looks like:
• Deliberately spending time making sure the dogs don't jump or crowd or bolt in and out of the door when you let them out for the first morning potty.
• Deliberately teaching that jumping on you or rushing the bowl as you set down breakfast isn't okay.
• When it is time to go for that walk, deliberately spending time training that the leash only goes on when their behavior is calm.
• Then, since your goal is a controlled walk, deliberately starting that walk: from the house to the door, from the door to the car, from the car to the trail.
Don't be in a hurry. Stay in the moment. Train your dog with consistent expectations and don't skip all of the important training that happens along the way.
