Tried every training hack online and nothing sticks? It’s not you. And it’s not your dog. In this episode, we explore the deeper reason tips don’t work, and the simple shift that changes everything.

You’ve scrolled Instagram, saved all the reels, watched the YouTube tutorials, and tried the “5 best recall tips”… only to feel like nothing is working.

That sinking feeling of, “Why isn’t this working? Am I just bad at this? Is my dog broken?” hits hard. And it’s exhausting.

This episode of The Mindful Dog Parent is here to tell you the truth:

It’s not because you’re failing. It’s not because your dog is stubborn. There’s a deeper reason those tips aren’t sticking, and once you understand it, things starts to shift.

• The “tip trap” cycle: Why so many dog parents end up overwhelmed and burnt out.
• Why tips don’t work on their own: The nervous system science behind behaviour and learning.
• The missing link: How calm connection changes the way tips actually work.
• A practical challenge for the week: A 60-second reset to use before any training exercise.
• A real-life story: How one client’s recall transformed when we focused on safety and calm first.

• Dog parents who feel stuck despite “trying everything”
• Anyone whose dog struggles with recall, reactivity, or loose lead walking
• Overwhelmed dog owners craving a calmer, more connected approach

Because you don’t need more tips. You need a foundation that makes those tips actually work. When you can pause, regulate, and create calm connection first, you unlock a new level of learning and trust with your dog.

Before you try any training tip, pause for 60 seconds and:

1️⃣ Ground yourself - breathe slowly, feel your feet on the ground

2️⃣ Check your dog’s state - buzzing? anxious? tuned out?

3️⃣ Connect softly - gentle name, calm touch, or let them sniff.

4️⃣ Then try the tip.

Commit to this for a week and notice the difference. Calm connection first changes how you show up and work on training with your dog.

• Free guide: Practical Strategies for Overwhelmed Dog Parents
• Connect on Instagram @lavendergardenanimalservices
• Learn more about how you can work with me: lavendergardenanimalservices.co.uk

You are not failing. You are learning.

And your dog doesn’t need you to be perfect, just present.

Mentioned in this episode:

Something New Is Coming: The Calm Connection Challenge

Ready to feel calmer and more connected with your dog — and yourself? In this short teaser, I’m letting you in on something exciting coming at the end of September… a free 4-day challenge created especially for overwhelmed, anxious dog parents who are craving more peace, ease, and confidence. ✨ Think of it as a gentle reset — no pressure, no perfect dog required. Make sure you’re following the podcast and keep your eyes on your inbox so you don’t...