10/06/2026
Unpopular opinion: it's okay to let your dog stop and observe.
There seems to be a huge rush to get dogs to be "neutral" to everything.
To walk past other dogs, people, and distractions without responding at all.
And while that's a lovely goal, what often happens in practice is this: every time the dog shows interest in something, they get called away.
Moved along.
Rushed past.
No time to look.
No time to process.
No time to just... observe.
BUT allowing a dog to observe is one of the most powerful ways to help them get used to their environment.
When we rush dogs through experiences before they've had time to process them, a few things may happen:
- They never fully habituate, because they haven't had enough time to take it all in.
- They can become more worried, because things keep appearing and disappearing before they can make sense of them.
- They can become more frustrated, because their natural curiosity is constantly being interrupted.
Think about it this way.
Imagine you're walking down the high street and you want to look in a shop window, and someone keeps grabbing your arm and pulling you forward.
Wouldn't that be incredibly frustrating?
Or imagine you're unsure about something.
Wouldn't being able to stop and look at it from a safe distance actually help you feel a little better?
Dogs are no different.
This is especially important for puppies who are still learning about the world and for sensitive or reactive dogs who need time and space to feel safe before they can relax.
A reliable recall, focus, and the ability to move away when needed are all essential.
But so is giving your dog the time and space to be a dog.
