20/08/2025
Out on a training walk with Pip the young GSD today. Alongside working on her engagement and confidence, we also made time for one of the most valuable (and often forgotten) parts of training… simply watching the world go by.
For dogs like Pip, who can be worried by traffic, noises and other dogs, this kind of observation is powerful. It allows her to process the sights, sounds and smells around her at a comfortable pace. When we give dogs the opportunity to watch calmly instead of rushing them from A to B, we’re helping them build neutral or positive associations with the things that once felt overwhelming.
Many owners worry that if their puppy isn’t practising cues, they’re not training. But training is more than sit, down and stay. Teaching a dog to feel safe in their environment is just as important as teaching obedience, if not more so. A confident dog will find engagement and learning much easier.
This is especially vital for puppies. Early exposure to the world (carried if necessary before vaccinations are complete) helps shape how they’ll feel about those experiences in the future. Waiting until 14+ weeks means missing a key window for learning that traffic, people, dogs and noises are normal parts of life.
So remember: letting your dog pause, watch and take it all in, is training. These quiet moments are what help build calm, resilient and confident companions.
