06/06/2026
Koda – 7 months old 💚
Yesterday we spent some time working in the park with Koda.
One of the things his family had been finding difficult was helping him pass dogs and people calmly. Like many young dogs, Koda can become excited, concerned, or simply overwhelmed by everything going on around him, which often led to barking and difficulty focusing.
His family would love to be able to enjoy more time out and about together, visiting places without him feeling the need to react to every dog or person he sees.
Rather than asking him to get closer or push through situations he wasn’t comfortable with, we focused on something much simpler:
✨ Giving him space
✨ Giving him time
✨ Allowing him to observe and process
His family commented that he wasn’t barking like he usually would.
When dogs have enough distance from the things they find challenging, they’re often able to think rather than react. As Koda relaxed, he was able to take in the environment, check in with his family, and engage with them despite the distractions around him.
One of my favourite moments from the session was seeing him able to simply sit, watch the world go by, and even settle for a while. For a young dog who has previously found these situations difficult, that’s a huge skill.
Being able to relax and take in the environment is an important step towards those family outings becoming enjoyable for everyone.
Behaviour change doesn’t always happen through teaching a new cue.
Sometimes it starts with understanding what a dog needs in order to cope.
For Koda, yesterday that meant a little more space, a little less pressure, and the opportunity to learn that dogs and people can simply pass by without needing a big response.
He’s still only 7 months old and has lots of learning ahead of him, but it was lovely to see him slowing down, processing his surroundings, and beginning to relax in an environment that would previously have felt much harder.
Well done, Koda and family. 🐾💚
