07/20/2026
Country dogs deserve city skills too. 🌿🏙️
One of the biggest focuses of our Monday afternoon training sessions is exposure. Norman lives in the country, so we intentionally visit busy places like Home Depot to introduce him to new sights, sounds, smells, shopping carts, people, and all the little distractions that come with the city. Exposure isn't about overwhelming a dog—it's about building confidence through positive, thoughtful experiences.
Today's challenge was simple: place on the patio stones and hold position while I walked away. Banner held his sit, Norman held his down, and they remained exactly where they were until I returned to release them. Even with shoppers walking by and stopping to admire them, the boys stayed calm, focused, and neutral.
This is what I strive for in every dog I train. Not a dog that has to greet everyone they see, but a dog that can exist calmly and confidently in the world around them. Neutrality creates freedom. It creates confidence. And it creates dogs you can truly take anywhere. ⭐️🐾
