Does your dog actually need you right now?

Yesterday we worked on check-ins and LAT.

Today, I want you to resist the temptation to practice them.

Instead, I want you to watch.

Because there’s a trap we can fall into when training reactive dogs:

We start believing that engagement with us = success.

Eye contact? Good.

Checking in? Good.

Ignoring everything else? Even better.

But, I want you to consider something different too.

A dog who feels safe doesn’t necessarily need to keep checking that you’re there.

They might sniff.
Wander.
Lie down.
Watch something.
Investigate a noise.
Move away from you.

And, sometimes one of the biggest signs of progress is actually that your dog needs you less.

So today, spend 10 minutes somewhere your dog feels safe and don’t ask them for anything.

No cues.
No calling their name.
No asking for eye contact.
No trying to manufacture a check-in.
Just observe.

And ask yourself:

When my dog isn’t being directed by me, what do they choose to do?

Then go deeper.

Do they explore confidently?
Do they constantly monitor you?
Do they struggle to settle unless you’re involved?
Do they scan their environment?
Do they repeatedly come back to you?

And here’s the harder question:

When they do check in with me, are they choosing connection… or asking me what they’re supposed to do next?

There’s no right or wrong answer.

But, there’s an important distinction between a dog who has learned to pay constant attention to their handler…

…and a dog who feels safe enough to engage with the world, make choices, process information and come back when they need to.

Ultimately, I don’t want your dog to spend their life staring at you. They are and should always be dogs first.

I want them to know you’re there…

without needing to constantly check.