What if the secret to better listening wasn't more control, but more choice? In today's episode,

we are exploring the power of choice in puppy training and why giving your dog safe, structured

opportunities to opt in, take breaks, and participate willingly can dramatically improve learning.

Welcome to the puppy training podcast. I'm Amy Jensen, founder of Baxter and Bella, the online puppy

school. Here we are all about helping you create the best possible experience raising a puppy,

from training tips to practical tricks, all aimed at fostering a happy, well-behaved dog who

truly feels like part of the family.

So if you are ready to enjoy the journey and strengthen the bond with your dog, let's get

started.

Hello everybody and welcome back to the puppy training podcast. I'm Amy Jensen and I'm so

glad you are here today.

This episode is one I'm especially excited about because it highlights something that is changing the way we raise and train puppies in modern dog training circles.

So today we are talking about the power of choice in training.

And here's the heart of it.

When dogs have choices, they actually learn

faster and they trust us more deeply. Let that sink in for just a second. For a long time,

dog training focused on control. I'm making my dog comply. I'm making sure they listen. I'm

ensuring they did what I asked them to do when I asked it, and I want obedience right away. But progressive

science-based training has shifted the conversation some. We're no longer asking, how do we make

dogs obey? Instead, we're asking, how do we create willing, confident learners? And one of the

most powerful tools we have is choice. Now, when I say choice, what do I mean by this? Choice-based training means

I'm intentionally building opportunities for my puppy to say yes. They can say no, they can opt in,

...