RESTART: Why Going Back to Basics Is Never a Setback
Back to Basics
If you’ve ever felt like you need to “start over” with your dog, whether it's with training, routine, or just resetting expectations at home. This is your gentle reminder: going back to basics is never a failure. In fact, it’s often the decision you’ll thank yourself for later.
As dog owners, we sometimes put pressure on ourselves to constantly progress. But progress doesn’t always mean pushing forward. Sometimes it means pausing, looking at the foundations, and making sure they’re actually strong enough to build on.
You know that feeling when your dog suddenly starts pulling on the lead again, or forgets their manners at the front door? That’s not your training falling apart, it’s your dog saying, “Hey, I need a little refresh.” And that’s okay.
The Foundations Matter - Always
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll already know I’m a huge believer in building solid foundations. Whether you’re working with a brand-new puppy, a reactive rescue, or you’re deep into competition-level obedience, those basic building blocks are what everything else stands on.
Think about a pro athlete. Even after a decade on the court, they’re still practicing the same drills. That’s not because they’ve forgotten how, it’s because the best results come from staying sharp with the basics. Dog training is no different.
Restarting Doesn’t Mean You Got It Wrong
It just means you’re being intentional.
Maybe you’ve recently added a second dog to your household. Maybe your routine’s changed and your dog’s behaviour is feeling a bit all over the place. Maybe you’ve realised you skipped a few steps early on, and you’re ready to go back and fill in the gaps.
Whatever your reason , this blog series is here to walk with you through it.
In the next few posts, I’ll share three simple but powerful ways to reset your foundations:
Creating more structure at home
Building motivation through hand feeding
Developing cooperative play that suits your dog
Each one is easy to implement and doesn’t require fancy equipment or rigid training rules. Just a bit of consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to meet your dog where they’re at.
Ready to Rebuild (or Just Refresh)?
It doesn’t matter if you’re on day one or year five with your dog. The best trainers and most thoughtful dog owners revisit the basics often.
Stick around for the next post where we’ll dive into what “structure” really means (and no, it’s not about being strict).
Let’s get back to the good stuff, the part where you and your dog feel calm, clear, and connected again.
Looking for more training support?
If you are wanting to start with the basics and build solid foundations, and want my help doing it, take a look at the life of porridge. An in-depth puppy raising experience where I share with you how to train and socialise this beautiful female Labrador called Porridge.