The Weekly High Five 🐾

One Quick Win 🙏 One Video to Watch 👀 One Post I Loved

Hey Reader,
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Fifteen days until Thanksgiving. That's it.

If your dog doesn't have a solid "go to your spot" command right now, the next two weeks are crucial.

Because when fifteen people show up at your door, you need somewhere to send your dog that isn't "go be crazy somewhere else."

This week I'm teaching you the one command that will save your Thanksgiving, revealing why force-free training actually gets better results than harsh corrections, and showing you a genius enrichment hack that keeps dogs busy way longer than you'd think.

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One Quick Win 🙏

This week's Quick Win focuses on "Place Command for Thanksgiving":

1. Choose a specific mat or bed that will be your dog's "place" and put it in a low traffic area.
2. Toss a treat onto the mat and when your dog steps on it to get the treat, say "yes" and give another treat.
3. Once they're reliably going to the mat for treats, add the word "place" right before you toss the treat.
4. Gradually increase how long they stay on the mat before releasing them with "okay" or "free."
5. Practice sending them to place from different rooms and distances, always rewarding when they get there.

You have fifteen days to make this automatic. Practice at least 10 times per day.

When Thanksgiving hits and someone rings the doorbell, you can send your dog to place instead of having them jump all over your guests.

This one command is worth its weight in gold during the holidays.

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One Video To Watch 👀

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Think you need harsh corrections to get results? In this week's game-changing video, I reveal the three science-backed force-free training methods that actually work better than punishment-based techniques.

Learn why rewarding good behavior beats saying "no" all the time, discover how to set your dog up for success instead of waiting for them to fail, and find out why consistency matters more than perfection.

Force-free training isn't about being soft. It's about being smart. And it works for every dog regardless of age or breed. This approach builds trust instead of fear.

One Social Post I Loved 🧡

This week's clever post from dog trainer Max Randall compares two ways to use a towel and food for enrichment, and reveals why one method keeps dogs busy way longer because it involves more problem-solving!

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I love posts like this that show the difference between basic enrichment and strategic enrichment. The details matter. How you set up the game determines whether your dog solves it in 30 seconds or works on it for 10 minutes.

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With Thanksgiving coming, you need activities that actually tire your dog out mentally before guests arrive. Click the video to see which method wins.

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November is crunch time for holiday prep. Your dog needs reliable commands and mental stimulation strategies before the chaos hits. Teaching place now means you have a management tool when things get overwhelming.

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Using force-free methods means your dog actually wants to listen instead of just avoiding punishment.

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Fifteen days is enough time if you're consistent. But you have to start today.

Questions about teaching place, force-free training, or last minute Thanksgiving prep? Hit reply. I'm here to help you finish strong before the holidays.
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Pam,
CPDT-KA
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PS. Need hands on help getting your dog ready for Thanksgiving? Let's work together, virtually or in person! >> Click here to book your Free 10 Min Call with Me​
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