05/12/2026
🎓TRAINER'S NOTE🎓
I thought we had graduated... then the teenage brain fog hit. 🫠🐾
When the adolescent brain starts rewiring, those rock-solid commands can suddenly feel like a foreign language. Instead of getting frustrated, we’re shifting gears. Here’s how we’re handling the chaos:
✅ Back to Kindergarten: We’re lowering the criteria and hitting the basics. If "stay" isn't happening at 20 feet, we’re doing it at 5 feet. Rebuilding that foundation is key.
✅ The Training Leash is Back: Freedom is earned! To manage the sudden "zoomies" and leash pulling, we’re back to using training leads to keep communication clear and everyone safe.
✅ Neutrality > Socializing: We’ve pulled back on the "friend dates" and high-arousal play. Right now, the most important skill they can learn is how to exist calmly and ignore the world around them.
It feels like a step backward, but it’s actually the fastest way forward. Consistency now = a rock-solid adult dog later.
