Finding What Works for Your Dog
Not every dog is motivated the same way.
And sometimes, what works one day… doesn’t seem to work the next.
That can feel confusing. Especially when you’re trying to stay consistent and do right by your
dog.
But more often than not, it’s not about doing more.
It’s about noticing what’s changing right in front of you.
Notice What Changes Your Dog
You’ll start to see it once you look for it.
Their body shifts. Their focus comes back. They move a little closer. They stay in it a little
longer.
Those small changes tell you something matters to them.
That’s the moment you want to pay attention to.
When It Clicks, Stay There for a Second
When your dog leans in, even just a little, give that moment a second to breathe.
You don’t have to rush to the next thing.
Sometimes staying in that one good moment is what helps your dog understand, this is it.
When It Doesn’t, That’s Information Too
If your dog drifts, looks away, or feels a little disconnected, that’s not something going wrong.
It’s just information.
It might be the environment. It might be the timing. It might be what you’re offering.
Even with food, the same treat you use at home may not mean as much in a different setting or
during a training session. Some treats just matter more.
And when they don’t, your dog lets you know.
Match What You See
Once you start noticing those shifts, you can respond to them.
If your dog comes alive with a little movement, meet them there.
If they settle with something quieter, stay softer.
You don’t have to force one way of working.
You can meet your dog in what’s already working.
Let It Be a Conversation
This isn’t something you have to figure out all at once.
It’s something that builds over time.
You notice something. You respond. Your dog responds back.
And little by little, it starts to feel less like guessing and more like understanding.
You don’t have to get it perfect.
You just have to be willing to see what your dog is already showing you.
And when you do, the work starts to feel a little more natural for both of you.