Stop asking your dog to “sit” for everything. Many dogs learn that training only happens when they’re told exactly what to do. Instead, start rewarding the behaviors you want your dog to offer naturally.
Examples:
• Reward calm check ins on walks
• Mark and reward choosing to lie down and relax
• Reward eye contact
• Reward your dog choosing to sit politely on their own
• Reward calm behavior around distractions
We want dogs that can think and make good choices, not dogs waiting for constant instructions. Capture the behavior you love and you’ll often start seeing more of it.
