If attention is the Mother of all behavior—and it is!—then calmness is the Father. We need both in order to get the best behavior from our dogs. You may be surprised how easily problems improve or actually disappear when your dog feels calmer and can focus on what you are asking for, , , , 

Is it always a good idea to ask your dog to Sit? I say Yes when it’s about getting a polite behavior before granting access to something he wants. However, if your dog’s behavior is spiraling out of control and you’re thinking that a Sit is going to calm him down, then No. 

Your dog’s mental state is the key to being able to (1) hear you and (2) comply.

Almost everyone who walks their dogs, even through a quiet residential neighborhood, faces situations where the dogs see or hear some “trigger” and lose their mind. So do I. But now I know what to do—and what not to do. My “aha moment” came several years ago . . . 

The game of Find It is not just an easy and exciting game to play with your dog. It also gives you a strong way to change your dog’s focus and behavior in challenging situations. A fun, familiar game provides a happy alternative to many behaviors you don’t like.