09/06/2026
Small dog, big feelings. 🐾
Meet Murphy. Like many small dogs, Murphy struggled with two big things: pulling on the lead and reacting when he saw other dogs.
When a dog is already pulling and the leash is tight, they are "primed" to react. Their arousal is already high, and as soon as they see a trigger—they pop. 💥
With Murphy and his owner, we didn't head straight to a busy park. Instead, we broke it down into small, winnable steps.
We started in the driveway. Then, we moved to limited sections of the street.
Why? Because we wanted to teach Murphy how to walk with his owner in a low-distraction environment first. By teaching him to keep a loose lead, we are actually creating "breathing room" for his brain. 🧠✨
When the leash is loose, Murphy’s arousal stays lower. He isn't already "on edge" when he sees another dog, which gives him the mental space to make a better choice.
Training isn't about throwing your dog into the deep end; it's about building the skills they need to swim in the shallow end first. 🌊
Amazing work by Murphy and his dedicated owner! 🏆
Is your dog a "puller" or a "reactor"? Sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a few steps back to the driveway. 🏠
