13/05/2026
Improving your relationship with your dog isnโt about buying more treats or doing harder training.Itโs about becoming the thing your dog values most. ๐
Too many people decide what ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ rewarding to their dog instead of actually learning what their dog loves. And those are two very different things.
Example:
๐ซChocolate isnโt really a reward for me. Iโll eat it if itโs thereโฆ but it doesnโt light me up.
โก๏ธNow hand me a 7Brew energy drink? Different story. THAT feels rewarding.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ.
Some dogs value food.
Some value tug.
Some value chasing.
Some value praise or physical touch
Some value freedom.
Some value simply getting to work with you.
If you want a stronger relationship, stop assuming โ start observing.
What makes your dog come alive?
What creates engagement?
What do they willingly choose?
And if you have multiple dogs:
Spend one-on-one time with each of them ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ค.
Not in a group.
Not while multitasking.
Not while another dog is screaming for attention.
๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ.
Thatโs where trust is built.
Thatโs where communication sharpens.
Thatโs where you learn who that dog actually is outside of the pack dynamic.
Relationships are not built through constant correction. They are built through value.
Dogs repeat what feels worthwhile.
And the handlers who become the reward themselves? Those are the teams that stay connected even when the environment gets hard.
And truthfully?
The trainers/handlers who impress me most are not always the fastest runs.
Not the quickest trip to the podium.
Not the dog earning MACHs at the youngest age.
๐ซถ๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ .๐ซถ
Itโs the dog choosing their person when they donโt have to.
The dog checking in naturally.
The dog who genuinely wants connection, engagement, and partnership.
Because titles can be earned. Skills can be taught.But real relationship?
๐๐ถ๐ผ ๐ช๐จ๐ตโ๐ป ๐ญ๐จ๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ป๐ฏ๐จ๐ป !
