Focus On Fun Dog Training

25/04/2025

🐶 MYTH or FACT? "Dogs feel guilty when they’ve done something wrong."
What do you think—true or false? 🤔 Drop your answer in the comments before reading on! ⬇️

👇 Answer: ❌ MYTH!
That guilty look—ears back, whale eyes, head down—doesn’t mean your dog “feels bad” for what they did. Instead, it’s a response to your tone and body language.

Dogs don’t connect past actions with current consequences the way humans do. If you come home and react to a mess, your dog isn’t feeling guilt—they’re reacting to your emotions in the moment.

🐾 Ever caught your dog giving "guilty eyes" before you even said a word? Drop a pic below! 📸👇

23/04/2025

Pulling on the lead?

Trying to fix pulling by correcting pulling is a complete waste of time.😞
It’s not fair. And it only builds frustration—for both of you.

💡The real problem?💡
Your dog simply doesn’t know what good lead manners look like yet.
So instead of punishing the confusion, you teach. You guide. You show them how to get it right.

The mistake isn’t your dog’s—it’s yours.😮
And that’s actually the good news… because it means you can change things.😊

Inside Better Than Dog School, we don’t waste time on pointless corrections.
No sport dog hype. No obedience trophies. No trendy stunts for Instagram.
Just honest training that works—for real people, real dogs, and real life.💞

Want to know more? Comment below.

19/04/2025

When you follow the PATHWAY at Focus on Fun Dog Training…
…your dog will be this eager to please—
just without the wine glasses and the smug attitude. 😉

Because when your dog wants to work with you,
you don’t need to beg, bribe, or boss them around.

18/04/2025

🐾 FUN FACT FRIDAY! Ever noticed your dog’s paws smell like popcorn or corn chips? 🍿🐕

That "Frito feet" smell comes from natural bacteria and yeast that live on a dog’s paws. It’s completely normal! Since dogs sweat through their paw pads, moisture creates the perfect environment for these microbes to thrive—leading to that buttery, popcorn-like scent!

🐶 Have you ever sniffed your dog’s paws? What do they smell like? Drop your answer below! ⬇️😂

16/04/2025

Can I say hi to your dog?”

It’s a common question—and your response should protect your dog.

You’ll meet people who ask if they can pet your dog.
And when you say, “He’s a bit unsure” or “She’s not comfortable,”
you’ll often get hit with, “Oh, I’m good with dogs,” as they immediately force themselves into your dog’s space. 😞

Here’s what most people don’t realize:
👉 A dog on a leash knows it can’t leave. That makes many dogs feel vulnerable.
Yes—not all dogs feel this way. But many do.

And the uncomfortable truth?
Most people aren’t really thinking about your dog’s feelings.
They’re focused on satisfying their own need to interact.

Just because they asked doesn’t make it okay.
It’s only okay if your dog chooses to say yes.

When a stranger suddenly leans in, reaches for your dog, and forces themselves into the moment…
That’s stressful.
It’s how dogs learn to be reactive—and sometimes even aggressive—because they’re trapped and can’t leave.

💡 So what should you do?
There’s a simple rule I wish more people knew:
Never touch a dog unless it chooses to touch you first.

And the part of the body the dog touches you with?
That’s the only place you’ve been given permission to touch back—and only with the same pressure they offered.

👃 If the nose is offered, then the nose can be touched.
🚫 But not the top of the head. Not the shoulders.

💭 Imagine greeting a stranger with a polite handshake…
And instead, they reached out and stroked your face.
Uncomfortable? Your dog thinks so too.

🗣 Here’s what to say instead:
👉 “You’re welcome to greet my dog if they touch you first—only in the same spot, with the same pressure they gave you.”

It makes people pause.
It makes them think.
And most importantly—it gives your dog a choice.

If your dog moves behind you—let them.
Don’t feel pressured to force the moment.

✅ Don’t pull your dog forward.
✅ Don’t tighten the leash.
✅ Don’t console them like it’s a big deal.

Just notice the reaction, add some space, and act like it’s no big deal.
Smile. Be calm and friendly as you walk away.
Your energy rubs off on your dog—so be relaxed and confident.

And if your dog does eagerly move forward to greet someone? That’s okay too!
Just keep the leash loose and let them say hello on their own terms.

🔎 Now… take a look at the photos below:
📸 Photo 1 – The owner is about to use the leash to push her dog toward the stranger, who’s about to grab both sides of the dog. This pleases the human—not the dog—and it’ll probably end badly.
📸 Photo 2 – The dog looks clearly uncomfortable. The leash is short, and the stranger is leaning in over the dog’s head. Intimidating, not kind.

No wonder so many dogs become reactive.
A leash means they can’t escape.

And when they can’t leave… some learn to bite.

Let’s start seeing these situations from the dog’s point of view.
Most aggressive behaviour is completely preventable—with knowledge, space, and respect.

📢 Please like and share this post to spread the word. Let’s protect our dogs from avoidable stress—and teach people how to greet dogs the right way. 🐾

15/04/2025

🥺It was just a hug... Until it wasn't.🥺
Dogs aren’t teddy bears.
They don’t enjoy being hugged tightly.
They don’t like faces pushed into theirs.
They don’t like being stared at.
And many dogs struggle with sudden movements or loud noise.

Yet these are exactly the things children naturally do when they’re excited to show affection.

It’s not the child’s fault.
It’s not the dog’s fault.

It’s our job to teach both.
To guide children in how to interact safely.
And to protect our dogs from situations they find overwhelming.

Because here’s what most people don’t realize:
Dogs try hard to communicate discomfort before they growl…
And they growl before they bite.

👉Never punish a growl.👈
That growl is a warning—a gift that gives us a chance to step in before things go wrong.
Punish it, and the dog may learn to skip the warning next time.

If you have young children—whether they live with you or are just visiting—watch how your dog is coping.
If you see signs of tension, step in.
Give your dog space.
Separate them if needed.

It’s not about blame.
It’s about safety, understanding, and setting everyone up for success. ❤️https://www.facebook.com/reel/299274118679566

Send a message to learn more

11/04/2025

📅 FLASH BACK FRIDAY: First Times! 🐶

Can you remember the first time your dog…
✔️ Came when called?
✔️ Walked nicely on a leash?
✔️ Learned their favorite trick?

🐾 Tell us about a training moment that made you PROUD! Bonus points for pics! 📸

10/04/2025

You know… I had a student join The PATHWAY because she believed her dog was just plain stubborn.
Refused to listen.
Wouldn’t do what she was told.

At least—that’s what she thought.

Until she started playing the foundation games in the PATHWAY.
And that’s when everything changed.

It’s a fact:
If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.

Like a goldfish in a bowl…
Endlessly swimming in circles, thinking you’re making progress—but really, just going round and round.
Getting nowhere.

So let’s talk about why this student struggled…
And what she’s doing differently now.

Like most people, she was thrilled that she’d taught her puppy to Sit at just 9 weeks old.
She thought: “Yes! Foundation skill in place.”

But here’s the truth:
Sit isn’t a foundation skill.

Sit is something your puppy already knows how to do.
All she did was add a verbal cue… in a calm environment… with no distractions.

The moment the environment changed—
A noise, a bird, another dog—
Sit suddenly meant, “Sit if you feel like it… and move when you want to.”

And this isn’t the dog’s fault.
That’s what they were taught.
That’s the habit that got reinforced.

So that’s what they keep doing.

I think she had a vision that Sit could solve everything:
Visitors. Roads. Recall. Jumping. Furniture…

Well—it didn’t work at all.

Real foundation skills are something entirely different.

Let me give you an example.

Number one:
Teach your dog to love you taking hold of their collar.

Think about how often you need to do that:
– Clipping on a leash
– Emergency situations
– Holding them at the vet

If your dog finds that frightening—like many dogs do—
You’ll never teach a solid recall.
You’ll always have a dog that dodges away.

Then there’s this next crazy idea:

Teach your dog that it’s allowed to have a choice.
And you decide which choices will be rewarded.

Not “commands.” Not corrections.
Just clear feedback, and reinforcement of the good stuff.

There’s a huge difference between doing something because you want to…
And doing it because you’re told.

That’s what we teach through a game called Reward That Choice.
It’s so simple—but the impact is massive.

One of our students—Sue—used it just hours after a Zoom meeting.
Her dog had been bouncing off the walls and wouldn’t settle.
She’d spent months teaching “Place” after watching YouTube videos…
But her dog would jump on the bed, leave, and bounce all over the family.

So I told her:

“Tonight, while you’re watching TV, play Reward That Choice from a distance.
Don’t worry about what your dog’s doing—just set it up.
Let your dog choose.
And calmly reward the good decisions.”

She looked at me like I’d grown another head.
But she trusted me.

Two hours later, she posted in the Members Chat Group:

“OMG—I couldn’t wait to share this. I took a bowl of food into the lounge and played ‘Reward That Choice’ with Stella.
She lay down and… stayed. It works.”

That’s the power of true foundation skills.

They give you a dog who wants to respond.
Who chooses to behave—because they’re emotionally connected to you.

Not because they’re bribed.
Not because they’re forced.
But because they’re invested.

There are two more foundation skills every dog needs before learning behaviours:

✅ Cause your dog to find JOY in working with you—
Because that’s how you forge a Powerful Connection

✅ And… ignore distractions

Now compare that to what you’re doing.

If you can’t tick all those boxes, The PATHWAY will make all the difference.

The games are so easy, even a child can learn them.

Here’s my two-year-old grandson playing with Buddy.
Notice how even at 2 years old, he’s rewarding great choices with praise and play.
(How did he learn? He watches what I do 😊)

If he can do it—you can too.

When those foundation skills are in place,
You can teach your dog anything.

Because your dog is having fun.
Because they remember what they learn.
Because neither of you is frustrated.

It’s such an enjoyable way to train.

And your dog?
Becomes a joy to live with.

Because they want to listen.
And they want to respond.

🎥 I’ve made a free video that walks you through the 3 must-have secrets that change everything.
You’ll find the link in the comments.

06/04/2025

04/04/2025

🐾 FEEL GOOD FRIDAY! 🐶 Let’s spread some positivity! ✨

Here’s how it works:
📸 Drop a photo of your dog in the comments.
💬 The next person will leave them a compliment!

🐕 Whether it’s their floofy ears, big personality, or heart-melting eyes, let’s make sure every dog gets some love today! 💙

02/04/2025

I bet you’re making this mistake… Everyone does at some point.

My morning walk started off pretty normally—three crazy dog ladies (I might be the ring leader when it comes to crazy) and our five dogs heading down a familiar bush track.

But when we reached the shelter shed, Buddy’s whole body language changed.

His flying nun ears stood up. Now I don’t get to see that very often—it’s a picture to behold… With his tail raised, eyes scanning—he was on.

I called him—and to be honest, he hesitated.
He clearly thought, I’ve got this, give me a moment.
But then he changed his mind and came running over.

A small moment, but it meant a lot—because the day before, at that same spot, he’d taken off at full speed behind the shed and disappeared chasing something. I have no idea what! So this was a choice. A conscious choice to come to me.

Then Jen asked us to put our dogs on lead so she could let hers off—fair enough. So we walked on, chatting away…

Until suddenly—a HUGE kangaroo.
I mean, like this guy had been around for a long time. His muscles stood out. He was a don’t mess with me kangaroo… along with his two lady friends following in his wake.

Old Shila was off like a rocket after them. Luckily, she’s not all that fast anymore.
And Jen’s young dog? Nowhere to be seen. Just gone.

Jen was frantic. Calling, yelling, doing some pretty creative hand gestures—which didn’t help much. The river was close by, and the roos were headed in that direction.

Four very tense minutes later, her dog finally came back.

Meanwhile, Buddy and Clippa were on lead—buzzing, yes, but focused.
Buddy looked like he was thinking, Why do THEY get to have all the fun?

So I did something that might surprise you.
I unclipped his lead and sent him to “go see.”

He took off like a bullet to where the kangaroos had been.
And the moment he got there, I called him.

He spun and raced back to me, just as fast—tail high, completely thrilled.

That’s why I get reliable recalls.
Not because of treats or toys.
Because I reinforce with what my dog actually wants.

Buddy wanted to chase kangaroos.
And sending him to do that caused him to believe that he did…
Dogs are pretty easy to fool when you know how.

That’s how you build a Powerful Connection—
One that holds, even when kangaroos are involved.

And just between us—I did ask Jen quietly,
“Did you know where your dog was before the roos showed up?”

She said, “No, I had no idea. I was watching where I was putting my feet.”

There’s a lesson in that.
When your dog is off leash, you can’t afford to be off too.
Because dogs know the second you disconnect—and they’ll go find something else to connect with.

👉 Want to see how I build that kind of connection—where your dog chooses you, even when kangaroos are around?
Watch my free video. I’ve popped the link in the comments.
I’ll show you the first 3 must-have secrets that change everything.

I wonder what my dogs will teach me tomorrow? 🐾

31/03/2025

🐾 TRAINING TIP TUESDAY! 🐶

The worst way to socialize a puppy? Forcing them into situations on a leash where they feel trapped. 🚫

💡 Socialization isn’t about exposure—it’s about positive experiences.

🔹 Take them to new places, but let them observe from a safe space.
🔹 Allow them to choose when (or if) they want to interact.
🔹 Keep it low-pressure, fun, and rewarding.

✅ When done right, socialization builds confidence—not fear!

🐾 How did you introduce your pup to new experiences? Drop a 🐶 in the comments if you’ve been through this stage! ⬇️

30/03/2025

Training Shouldn’t Be Frustrating! 🐶

If training your dog feels like a battle, you’re doing it the hard way. The PATHWAY makes training simple, effective, and frustration-free!

🐕 In just 5 minutes a day, you can:
✔️ Stop unwanted behaviors—without force.
✔️ Build a dog that WANTS to listen.
✔️ Enjoy a dog that’s reliable, calm, and fun to be around!

💡 Training shouldn’t be frustrating. It should be rewarding—for both of you! https://focusonfundogtraining.com/

27/03/2025

🐶 MYTH or FACT? "You need to be the alpha for your dog to respect you."
What do you think—true or false? 🤔 Drop your guess in the comments before reading on! ⬇️

👇 Answer: ❌ MYTH!
The idea of "alpha training" comes from old, debunked studies on wolves in captivity—but dogs aren’t wolves, and even wolf behavior doesn’t work that way in the wild!

Dogs don’t need a pack leader—they need clear guidance, trust, and reinforcement for good choices. Using positive training builds respect without fear or intimidation.

🐾 Have you ever been told to "be the alpha" in dog training? What do you think? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

24/03/2025

🐾 TRAINING TIP TUESDAY! 🐶

🚨 Reality check: Your dog isn’t a robot. 🤖 Expecting them to ignore everything and everyone is unrealistic.

Instead of trying to shut down their instincts, focus on teaching them how to interact appropriately.

✅ Reward calm greetings.
✅ Teach them how to navigate new situations.
✅ Set realistic expectations—not impossible ones!

💡 When you guide your dog instead of just correcting them, you’ll have a more confident, well-mannered companion.

🐕 Does your dog LOVE meeting new people, or are they a bit unsure? Tell me in the comments! ⬇️