@controlledcanines: A couple of days into Thief’s residential training and he’s already picking up his off lead heel incredibly quickly. Today’s walk was all about proofing those foundations in the real world. We stopped for a chat with some other walkers while both dogs held a down with another dog nearby, before heading through a field where Thief saw cows for the very first time. Rather than allowing excitement to dictate his decisions, we used the opportunity to reinforce calmness, neutrality and impulse control. Good obedience isn’t about suppressing a dog’s instincts. It’s about giving them the freedom to make the right choices, even when the environment gets exciting. #belgianmalinois #controlledcanines #DogTraining #dogtrainer #offlead