If you’ve ever felt frustrated by your dog’s inability to pause—whether it’s barking at the window, jumping the second you grab the leash, or exploding with excitement when you walk through the door - you’re not alone. Many pet guardians, especially those living with reactive dogs, struggle with what’s really a lack of one key skill: self-regulation.

The good news? Self-regulation is something we can help our dogs build—and it doesn’t require hours of dedicated training time. It starts with small, intentional moments woven into everyday life.