One of the most frustrating things I see as a dog trainer is how people fixate on the wrong things instead of focusing on what truly matters. A perfect example is the obsession with teaching a dog to sit on command and using it as a catch-all solution for behavioral issues.
People try to use “sit” to control excitement at feeding time, when guests arrive, or even as an automatic response every time they stop walking. While this might work for short neighborhood walks, it quickly becomes impractical for service dogs or those accompanying their owners on long adventures. Imagine holding a child’s hand, and every time you pause to talk or look at something, they suddenly drop to the ground—it would get old fast.
When a dog sits every time you stop, they shift out of neutral/drive into park. Then, owners go through a whole production to get them moving again—lots of leash pulling, excessive talking—all of which is unnecessary and frustrating.
Traditional dog obedience focuses on five main commands: HEEL, SIT, DOWN, STAY, and RECALL. In Focused-Based Canine Training, we work with cues rather than commands. Commands are authoritative, while cues are suggestions. A dog’s ability to recognize, process, and respond to cues—based on what they see, hear, and smell—is what truly determines their well-being and survival, whether in a home or the wild.
For example, the sound of a crinkling potato chip bag that sends a dog running from another room is a cue. While you might give your dog a few commands a day, you and everyone in your household are giving them hundreds, if not thousands, of cues. Most unwanted behaviors stem from owners unknowingly communicating the wrong cues. A single command in the heat of the moment has no chance of overriding a cue that has been reinforced thousands of times—it’s just not going to happen.
Ever wonder why it’s called the heel position? The concept actually comes from dogs, and humans just gave it a name. Dogs have a 240-degree field of vision, compared to a human’s 180 degrees, because they evolved to hunt in packs at high speeds, often in low light. This allows them to track both prey and their pack members simultaneously. That’s why I laugh when people think they need to stand directly in front of their dog with a treat to get their attention. It’s not that the dog doesn’t see them—they just don’t care.
Dogs communicate their focus through the direction of their front paws, similar to how humans point with a finger. When a dog is in the HEEL position (front paws aligned with your heel), they’re in the optimal spot to see both your feet and your face. If they’re behind you, they only see your back; if they’re in front, they can’t see you at all. When a handler and dog share a strong bond, the dog naturally watches where the handler is looking—much like how a wife instinctively notices when her husband looks at another woman!
There is nothing more natural than moving with your dog. This is how they bond and communicate with other dogs—through eye contact, movement, and touch. The more you move with your dog (giving constant cues) and the less time you spend standing still issuing commands, the stronger your relationship will become.
After working with over 3,500 dogs, the first thing I do when meeting any new dog is move with them. There is nothing more fundamental than teaching a dog to walk when you walk and stop when you stop. Whether I’m working with clients on basic obedience, behavior modification, or service dog training, we always start with this foundation. The goal isn’t just loose-leash walking—it’s fingertip control.
Unfortunately, many dog owners never experience this level of connection because they rely too much on commands. In the real world, commands are whispers, while cues are explosions. And when faced with both, dogs (and people) will always respond to explosions over whispers. The key is to make your cues louder, more meaningful, and more engaging than the distractions around your dog. That is the essence of Focused-Based Canine Training.
That’s why loose-lead walking is the very first thing we cover in our virtual training. This allows us to work with any dog owner who has an internet connection, providing the same education and training as our in-home clients.
Learn more about our virtual training