Most people stop training their dog once the behaviour looks good in the living room… but that’s just step one. 👉 True training success = when your dog can perform that same behaviour in any environment, under any distraction, every time.That’s what proofing is all about. Think of it like this: - You don’t really “know” how to drive if you can only do it in an empty parking lot. You have to learn to handle traffic, rain, stop-and-go, and crazy drivers. - Same with dogs: Sitting at home is easy. Sitting when another dog runs by? That’s a whole different skill. 🐾 Why proofing is so important: 1. Dogs don’t generalize well. Just because they “know” sit at home doesn’t mean they’ll sit at the park. 2. Distractions change the game. Adding sound, movement, smells, or people tests if the command is truly learned. 3. Safety depends on reliability. A recall that only works sometimes isn’t really a recall—it’s a gamble. 💡 Takeaway: Proofing isn’t “extra work.” It’s what makes the behavior reliable in the real world. Start small, add layers of distraction, and build your dog’s confidence step by step. 👉 Comment below: What’s the hardest environment YOUR dog struggles to stay focused in?

Hi, I am Jess (obsessed dog momma)...and these are my 3 girls, Gypsy the old soul 11 year old beagle/coonhound mix...Aussie the typical middle child 3 year old red heeler...and Renny the newest pack member 8 month old blue heeler. We live about 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh PA. I am looking forward to learning training as the heelers are the absolute definition of high energy dogs. They are so smart and loyal but just as equally stubborn!

💎 Building Food Drive in Dogs If your dog isn’t excited about treats, training can feel like a struggle. This quick guide shows you how to turn food into your dog’s favorite thing in the world — so they’re eager, focused, and ready to learn every time you train. 💎 Charging a Marker Want your dog to instantly understand when they’ve done the right thing? Learn how to “charge” a marker word or sound so it becomes your secret communication shortcut — leading to faster learning and a happier, more confident dog.