When "Sit" Doesn't Work in Real Life

You know that moment when your dog is perfect at home, then acts like they’ve never heard the word “sit” at the dog park? Yep, we’ve ALL been there!

Just yesterday, I was working with this sweet Lab mix who could do every trick in the book… in her living room. But the second we stepped outside? Total amnesia! Her mom was so frustrated, saying “I swear she knows this!”

This happens to even the smartest dogs. When you’re alone with them at home they are great, but ask them to stay when another dog walks by? Forget it! They are gone like a rocket.

Here’s the thing – there’s a HUGE difference between your dog knowing tricks and your dog actually listening when it matters.

Dogs easily get overwhelmed by all the sights, sounds, and smells in the real world.

Think about when you really need your dog to listen:

• When the delivery guy comes
• When you’re at the vet
• When that neighbor dog they hate walks by
• When they find something gross or dangerous on a walk
• When your kids have friends over and it’s chaos
• When you’re trying to take a nice photo and they won’t sit still
• When you’re trying to leave for work and they’re trying to escape

That’s real-life obedience, and it’s so different from doing cute tricks in your living room.

The good news? Your dog isn’t being stubborn or bad! They just haven’t learned to focus when things get exciting. It’s like they have dog ADHD in the real world – too many distractions!

In our training, we start super basic, then we make it real. We practice with other dogs around. We practice with people knocking on doors. We practice with all the stuff that makes your dog lose their mind!

The coolest part is watching that lightbulb moment when a dog finally gets it – when they can look at that squirrel AND listen to their owner at the same time. That’s when the magic happens!

I always tell people – don’t be impressed that your dog can sit for a treat in your kitchen. Be impressed when they can sit while a squirrel runs by! That’s when you know you’ve got a well-trained dog.

And remember, this isn’t about having a robot dog who never gets to have fun. It’s about having a dog you can trust to listen when it really matters.

Want to see if we can help your “perfect at home, wild in public” pup? Come try a free session and see the difference! We’ve got treats in our pockets and we’re ready to help turn your pup into a real-world superstar!

-Ryan