The Secret to Better Dog Training Results Starts Before You Pick Up the Leash
A few years back, I attended a business seminar where the speaker discussed how Disney World has a strict "No bad days" policy for their employees.
Think about it: people spend years saving and travel thousands of miles for a "trip of a lifetime." If the guy in the Goofy suit is in a foul mood and snaps at a visitor, he hasn't just had an off moment—he has ruined that family’s entire vacation. Disney would far rather an employee call in sick than show up and have a "bad day."
That exact rule applies to training your dog.
At Invisible Leash®, we maintain a strict "No Bad Dog Training Days" policy.
If you had a brutal day at work, got stuck in traffic, and are in a foul mood, do not train your dog today. Put the leash away. Reschedule.
Dogs are emotional barometers. If you pick up that leash feeling impatient, frustrated, or stressed, your dog feels it immediately. A tense handler creates a confused, anxious, or resistant dog—and one bad session can undo weeks of good progress.
Mindset Matters More Than Repetitions
Even on normal days, your frame of mind dictates your dog’s success.
Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, once asked the legendary magician Howard Thurston the secret to his success after performing for over 60 million people. Thurston admitted he wasn't the most technically skilled magician in the world.
His secret was what he said to himself BEFORE stepping onto the stage:
“I am grateful for the people who came to see me. I am going to do the very best I possibly can.”
That simple shift from anxiety to positive focus changed everything.
The 60-Second "Thurston Method" for Your Dog
Before you clip on the leash or grab a handful of treats, pause for 60 seconds. Take a deep breath, clear the day’s clutter from your head, look at your dog, and say to yourself:
“This is going to be a fun, focused session. I’m going to be patient, and we are going to make great progress.”
Try this before every session for the next week. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your dog’s focus improves when your own energy is dialed in.
Need Help Getting Your Dog Under Control?
Having the right mindset is step one—but you also need a clear, proven system to follow. If you are struggling with pulling on leash, selective hearing, jumping, or ignoring commands around distractions, you don’t have to figure it out by trial and error.
Let’s take the guesswork out of the equation.
Claim Your Free 1-on-1 Dog Behavior Evaluation
Bring your dog in for a Free Behavior Evaluation. In about 30 minutes, we’ll:
Pinpoint the exact reason your dog isn't listening to you.
Show you how to stop unwanted behaviors like pulling and jumping.
Map out a clear, step-by-step plan to give you reliable, off-leash Invisible Leash® control anywhere you go.
There is zero pressure and zero obligation.
Click Here to Schedule Your Free Behavior Evaluation → https://ericletendre.com/