Slow Down, Notice, & Adjust

Noticing Needs November: Slow Down, Notice, and Adjust

Dog training is more than following a plan; it’s noticing the subtle messages your dog is giving you. Too often, we focus on what we want to achieve and overlook the small cues that tell us when our dog is struggling, bored, or overstimulated.

This November we are going to expand on our previous Noticing Needs November posts & a series we started in June on Micro-Signals, both of which are important for helping fearful dogs feel safe. On the Noticing Needs page you'll find posts from 2024 on Mistakes and 2023 on Wisphers, Screams & Singing - different ways to communicate with your dog. This year I plan to pull that all together with tips to slow down enough to hear what your dog is telling you, noticing when your dog has an unmet need, and making small changes that have lasting huge impacts on your dog's well-being.

Of course the really educational posts are going to be on Patreon in our membership tiers, but I'm not going to leave my blog and social media out of the fun. Here are some things we will be addressing during Noticing Needs November!

Common training struggles often come from not paying attention to these signals:

1️⃣ Distractions & Environments
Ever try recall at a busy park and your dog ignores you? Azul once ignored my cues because geese landed nearby; a distraction I hadn’t accounted for. The mistake wasn’t his; it was mine for misjudging the environment. Noticing distractions and adjusting the plan is key.

2️⃣ Pushing Too Far or Too Long
Whether it’s mat training, heel work, or walks with multiple cues, dogs have limits. If a session is too long, too repetitive, or too demanding, your dog may stop participating, leave the mat, or show frustration. Early signals like yawning, stretching, or loose attention are your green light to adjust or end the session.

3️⃣ Choosing the Wrong Reinforcement
Reinforcement isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes low-value treats are enough; other times, a high-value reward or a quick game is needed. For example, Azul loves to tug on his longline after a sniff-a-bout. It helps him transition by releasing his last minute zoomies before switching  to calm as we go inside.

4️⃣ Misreading Behavior
Dogs show us what they need in subtle ways. Cam would opt out of retrieves when frustrated; Azul lets me know food reinforcement isn’t motivating him at the moment. Belle gets more vocal when she is struggling with something in the environment. Ignoring these signals can turn a productive session into a negative experience, hurting confidence, impacting teamwork, sometimes even spoiling food or reducing it’s value.

5️⃣ Overlooking the End of a Session
Ending on a positive note isn’t just about stopping when the behavior is correct. It’s about leaving your dog engaged, happy, and confident. A clear “End of Session” cue like All Done! or a playful tug game can help your dog transition smoothly and learn that training is fun, not stressful.

The Takeaway:
Slow down. Watch. Listen. Adjust. Every yawn, tail wag, or sigh is feedback. By noticing what your dog is showing you, you can:

 ✨ End sessions positively
✨ Keep reinforcement motivating
✨ Respect your dog’s limits
✨ Build confidence and focus

Training isn’t a race, it’s a conversation. And the better we notice our dogs’ needs, the stronger our bond grows. 💛

Be sure you are following our social media sites. You can find links to all of our free social media on the Yooper Paws Home Page!  If you are looking for a bit of info about some of the more advanced resources we have available this month, check out our bio-site. This gets updated every month with links to the most valuable support available.