31/05/2026
🐾 You're not the only one dealing with this…🐾
Recently, there are three things that lots of dog owners have mentioned to me that they’re currently trying to work on and improve with their dogs. Interestingly, many of these are things that weren’t a problem before but seem to have started creeping back in again recently.
The three most common are:
🐶 1. Forgetting recall when there’s something more exciting to investigate
Your dog knows exactly what "come back" means... until there’s a squirrel, another dog, an interesting smell, or something else they’d much rather check out! Reliable recall is so important for safety, which is why it can feel frustrating when it suddenly seems less reliable than it used to be.
🐶 2. Pulling on the lead
Whether it’s excitement, a desire to get somewhere faster, or simply getting out of the habit of walking nicely, lead pulling can quickly make walks less enjoyable for both dog and owner. It can also become physically uncomfortable, especially with larger or stronger dogs.
🐶 3. Forgetting their manners when out and about
You know the situation... your dog wants to say hello to every person, every dog, every cyclist, and possibly every pigeon they encounter! While friendliness is lovely, not everyone wants to be greeted, and not every dog appreciates an enthusiastic introduction.
The good news? ❤️
This is completely normal.
Dogs are not robots. They have setbacks, forget things, test boundaries, and go through periods where behaviours that seemed well established suddenly need a bit of work again.
In fact, after winter this is something I see regularly. During the colder months, walks are often shorter, routines can change, and there are generally fewer opportunities to practise skills in busy environments. Then spring and summer arrive, the world becomes more exciting again, and suddenly those training challenges start reappearing.
If you're experiencing this, please know there are lots of people going through exactly the same thing. It isn't just your dog.
The really positive news is that with repetition, consistency, and patience, you can absolutely get back to where you were.
Training isn't something you do once and then tick off a list. It's an ongoing process throughout your dog's entire life. 🐾
One thing I always do when walking dogs is follow the training plans and routines owners have put in place. Whether it's recall, loose-lead walking, greeting manners, or anything else, I make sure we're all being consistent in what we're doing and saying to give every dog the very best chance of success.
So, which one sounds most like your dog? 🤔
Have they regressed in anything over the winter months?
Let me know in the comments below 👇🐶🐾
