Wait a minute…I’m a trainer and obedience is never my goal?  Don’t worry,  I am not suggesting that we let our dogs run amuck. My goals when helping people and dogs live better together are always safety and welfare for both ends of the leash.  Sometimes we can achieve those goals by simply controlling the environment (think fences, baby gates, where we choose to walk, etc), while other times, it will be worth the effort to teach more specific skills, and in some cases, skills we have labeled as “obedience” skills can even be useful. It is not the skills themselves I reject, but rather the mindset many of us have inherited which says dogs must be obedient to us, as well as the idea that a certain set of obedience skills are what all dogs need in order to thrive and to be successful in our homes.

“But he knows sit.” Most of us have said this at some point. A behavior that looks strong at home suddenly disappears in a more distracting environment, and it feels confusing and frustrating. What looks like stubbornness is usually a training gap, not a character flaw. Dogs learn skills in layers and contexts, not all at once. Reliability comes from gradually adding difficulty, supporting success, and adjusting the plan when needed. Training is not magic. It is thoughtful, structured practice over time

Most dogs love to sniff. Putting that natural behavior on cue with a simple “find it” game can become a versatile training tool for real-life situations from loose leash walking to reducing excitement around triggers. Here is how to teach and use it effectively.Most dogs love to sniff. Putting that natural behavior on cue with a simple “find it” game can become a versatile training tool for real-life situations — from loose leash walking to reducing excitement around triggers. Here is how to teach and use it effectively.

Should your dog just listen without treats? Will using food create dependence? And how many treats is too many? This article explains how dogs actually learn, why treats work so well in training, and how to use them strategically without undermining reliability or health.