Engagement Isn’t Optional: Why It’s the Foundation of Everything

Want to know the secret sauce of good dog training?

It’s not the leash, the treats, or even the cue itself.

It’s engagement aka, does your dog care that you exist right now?

Because here’s the thing:

If your dog’s brain isn’t with you, their body won’t be either.

🧠 So, What Is Engagement?

Engagement is your dog choosing to pay attention to you.

It’s NOT forcing focus or bribing them with snacks. Tt’s building a relationship where your dog is like,

“Hey, what are we doing next?!”

instead of

“That leaf blowing across the street is more interesting than you.”

Engagement is what lets you train with your dog instead of just talking at them.

❌ Why Lack of Engagement Feels Like “Stubbornness”

Let me guess:

• Your dog listens perfectly in the house but zones out on walks?

• They know what “sit” means, but suddenly forget when another dog walks by?

• You feel like you’re constantly saying their name into the void?

That’s not stubbornness. That’s a distracted or dysregulated dog who hasn’t been taught how to focus in that environment.

🎯 How to Build Engagement

Before you teach the sit, the heel, or the recall, you need their eyes, ears, and brain.

Here’s a super simple game to start building it:

👀 The Look Game

1. Have treats ready (start in a low-distraction area).

2. The moment your dog looks at you, even by accident, say “yes!” and give them a treat.

3. Wait. Let them look away.

4. When they look back? YES! Treat again.

You’re teaching your dog that checking in with you is always a good idea. With repetition, they’ll start offering attention more and more, even when things get distracting.

🔁 Pro Tip: Engagement is a Skill, Not a Trait

Some dogs are naturally more handler-focused. Others are off in their own world by default.

Both can learn to engage. It just takes practice, patience, and the right training plan.

And guess what?

Every single program I offer starts with engagement, because without it… nothing else sticks.

🐾 Ready to Build a Dog That Wants to Work With You?

Whether your dog is a distracted sniffaholic or a high-drive overachiever, I’ll help you build that magical “I see you, let’s go” vibe.

📍 Book a discovery call or check out my programs at www.idealcanine.ca

Let’s make you the most interesting thing in your dog’s world (even when squirrels are involved).