1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
On the 3 D's of training
Dog Trainer Auckland
July 14, 2026
1 Tip - on life with your dog
Working on recall and feel like your dog has gone backwards? When you introduce distractions into the picture, make it easy for your dog by reducing the other two variables: distance, get closer to your dog and duration, call them before the environment gets too exciting. A recall from two meters away after five seconds, with loads of rewards, is easier than leaving them for five minutes when they are fifteen meters away.
Turning one dial up and dialling the others down is how real-world skills are built.
1 Idea - on the leading edge
Dog training progress often looks messy because learning isn't linear. You'll have a great walk where your dog comes to you around runners and off-leash dogs, then a walk where you feel ghosted. This just tells you what your dog was ready for today.
If your dog is struggling, one or more of the D's is too high. Ask yourself:
Was I too far away? (Distance)
Had my dog been distracted for too long? (Duration)
Was the distraction too exciting? (Distraction)
1 Quote - on dogs
When you find yourself feeling stuck or beginning to dwell on what you can't do, regain control with this simple question:
What can I do? James Clear
Take up the Challenge!