Why Training a Dog in Short Sessions Helps in Learning

Short sessions can be set up in your home, in an area your dog is comfortable in. The best learning is in areas where the dog is familiar with the environment. This helps to keep the dog engaged in learning and enjoyable for your dog. A good place to teach basic skills before stepping out into a different environment. You may want to teach your dog to learn what a "down" is and you have achieved this and now you want to move out into real life just outside your home. Practicing just outdoors in the backyard or front, just a different area and work towards achieving a "down" in that new area and environment.

The environment alone changes and can be distracting to your dog. When you achieve just one "down" that is great news. Don't be discouraged if a dog fails, just stop and go back to the same area later, or choose a different later.

Group classes can cause over stimulation; the dog is distracted by other dogs and unfamiliar people. These classes are not for every dog or guardian. Stress at both ends of the leash is not a good combination.

I found a video of Georgia a dog that I have been training. Georgia is very energetic and i jokingly say she is like a dog that just drank 20 cups of coffee. She pulled very hard on the leash in the beginning and when she wanted something she would get very low to the ground and try to crawl her ways towards the object.

She has been very interesting to work with. I often learn more about a dog the more I work with them. This is why I have a day training service too. That time I can work with a dog and observe behaviors and those reactions. Getting a good look into the body language in different areas, like doing a body scan while relaxed and then stepping out into a different environment.

Georgia is very quick and moves like lighting when she sees a squirrel. This can be a problem when she is on a leash, so I used short sessions in areas where there were less visible squirrels.

She becomes very hypervigilant when she gets into new areas. Scanning the area and she is defiantly ready to move. She is ready to bolt. I do my best to work with her in areas that are familiar, to help her in her learning. I want her stress level to be low and not to take her over her threshold. Stress if it is "good" OR "bad" is processed the same. Keeping her stress levels low will help her.

I have sat with her in the backyard and rewarded her for not chasing squirrels. She really likes to do this, but I want her to learn to just watch. She does get to chase them when we are not in a training session. Chasing is a natural instinct, but she can learn it is okay to sit and watch the squirrels and be reinforced for not chasing.

I will attach a leash in the backyard and work with her to not chase the squirrel when she is on a leash. I am thinking about her safety and mine too. Her bolting and pulling towards a squirrel can be dangerous for both of us.

I set up chase games in the backyard and she enjoys herself. Sometimes, I use a ball or a Flirt Pole.

Below you will see me reinforcing the good behavior I like, and yes, I am using treats frequently to help her stay engaged in the training set up. I choose to work in areas that are familiar to help the dog. Leashes can create barrier frustration. I am using a 6-foot leash and soft treats as I train her.

I don't care what side she is on; this is all about being able to walk on a leash without pulling. When choosing areas think about areas around your home. Is the backyard a good start? Then move out to an area that is out of the backyard, but you feel your dog will be comfortable.

When environment changes somehow cause a dog to be hypervigilant with every movement and sound, we must think about the dog and what can be done to help the dog. Working in familiar areas gives her the opportunity to go on short walks out in real life. Short sessions and shortchanges in the environment around her. Helps her to see the world and for her to understand I am her pilot and I am there.

Any dog that is reactive on leash, we must think about the dog in front of us. What can we do to help the dog? What will work best to help the dog?

Fear, stress and anxiety is very real and with a good trainer on board, you can learn how to help your dog.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/84b6fd_a6b7d29586ae43a99dbbef32c9e44ca4/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Mecca trains Georgia in a familiar area to help in her learning leash skills.

I offer day training and other services to help you on your journey with your dog. Some dogs have big emotions.

Georgia is not a dog that I would play ball with every day. Her routines include a lot of mind stimulation and enrichment. A dog that is constantly up in energy, also needs help to be calmer. I never want to create and athlete, that thinks every day we must play ball. There needs to be a balance in life choices for dogs too.

My services can be found at www.meccacurtice.com

Think when choosing a trainer for your dog, because punishment can cause fear, anxiety and stress to be worse. We want the dog to be empowered and learn to make good choices.

Mecca Curtice CDBC, CCDT, CBATI-KA, FDM

© 2026 Mecca Curtice Mecca's All Breed Dog Training, LLC.