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The Secret of Small (and Easy!) Wins to Train Your Dog

A woman smiling and looking to the side at her black dogs greying and smiling face

Have you ever tried to put together a 1,000-piece puzzle without having a picture on the box? Tackling your dog’s behavior can feel like that sometimes, and it’s no fun. 


Does it have to be that way?


No way!


Here’s the secret to improving dog training: make life easier for you and your dog by using small wins—the magic ingredient to transform frustration into feel-good. 


Why Small Wins Are a Big Deal

Small wins are the quiet architects of transformation. They whisper to us in moments of calm, inviting us to notice the beauty of progress unfolding slowly and deliberately. Think about your dog sitting calmly before dinner or walking on a leash without chaos. These tiny victories are an act of faith. Faith in growth. Faith in partnership. Faith in the idea that change doesn’t come all at once but in gentle ripples that reshape the whole. Here’s the deal: Every time your dog gets something right, they’re learning. Every time you acknowledge it, you’re reinforcing trust and communication. Boom! Win-win.Small wins are behavior modification in action, plain and simple. Every time your dog nails something—even the smallest thing—they’re learning what works. And when you step in with a cheerful “Yes! Good job!” or toss them a treat, you’re strengthening trust and building a secret handshake of communication between you and your pup. 


The Science of Behavior Change: It’s All About Reinforcement

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to sit politely, stay calm, or stop eating your shoes. They learn through positive reinforcement and repetition.Behavior change works because the brain forms habits through repetition and rewards. This means dogs learn best when their good behavior is recognized and rewarded. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) explains that positive reinforcement—like treats or praise—encourages desired behaviors by signaling to the brain, “This works—do it again!”


Over time, consistent rewards help your dog form new habits, much like learning any skill. Punishment, on the other hand, creates stress and slows learning. Focus on steady, small progress. With patience and positive reinforcement, you’ll build confident, lasting changes in your dog’s behavior.How it works:


  • Tiny Goals, Big Results: Instead of expecting your dog to “stop barking forever,” aim for quieting down for 5 seconds, then 10 seconds, then a full minute.

  • Rewards Make the Difference: Dogs repeat what works for them. When you pair good behavior with treats, toys, or praise, you tell them, “Yes, this is what I want!”

  • No Punishments, Please: Yelling or frustration doesn’t teach—it confuses. Stay calm and reward the good stuff.


Think of it like potty training a toddler: Accidents will happen, but patience and rewards get the job done.


Set Goals That Honestly Work

You can’t fix everything at once. Start by narrowing down one behavior you’d like to improve.


Example Plan:

  1. End Goal: Reduce barking at the mail carrier.

  2. Break It Down:

    • Step 1: Reward when your dog notices the mail carrier but can be redirected.

    • Step 2:Slowly work on helping your dog stay calm for longer periods.

    • Step 3: Add distractions to make it a little more challenging (but not overwhelming).

  3. Celebrate:When your dog stays quiet, even for a few seconds, they’re getting the gist.


Smaller steps make big goals feel doable. And hey, you’ll both feel less stressed along the way.

Spot and Celebrate the Small Wins

With behavior change, subtle progress is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. But those small shifts are everything.


How to Notice Wins:

  • Did your leash-puller slow down, even for a second? Win.

  • Did your anxious pup glance at a scary object and then look at you? Big win.

  • Did your excitable dog sit when you asked—just once? You guessed it—win.


Reward Ideas:

  • Treats (obviously)

  • Playtime with a favorite toy

  • Lots of praise (“Good dog!” works wonders)


Remember, consistency beats perfection. Celebrate every win, even if progress isn’t a straight line.


Real-Life Wins That Changed Everything

Let’s talk examples:


  • Fearful Dog Success: A shy rescue dog used to cower at the sight of strangers. After weeks of rewarding even a single step toward new people, she’s now wagging her tail when meeting visitors.

  • Reactive Dog Progress: A leash-reactive dog learned to stay calm for 10 seconds when passing another dog. With patience, those 10 seconds turned into calm walks.

  • Rescue Dog Victory: A restless rescue dog relaxes in a dog bed for 45 seconds instead of pacing—one treat at a time.


Progress isn’t always a straight path, but that’s what makes it exciting and full of possibility. Every little victory counts and adds up to something greater than ever imagined.


Why It’s Worth It:

  • Steady progress builds trust between you and your dog.

  • Calm, consistent reinforcement teaches your dog what works—without stress.

  • Even “slow” progress is a success.


Reward Yourself, Too!

You deserve a pat on the back (or maybe an ice cream). Did your dog finally sit instead of launching themselves like a furry rocket at the neighbor? That’s worth an extra scoop. Did they make it through a walk without treating every mailbox like a snack bar? Time for you to enjoy a guilt-free online shopping spree (dog toy for them, something shiny for you).


The point is that celebrating your wins keeps you motivated. Training is teamwork, and if your dog gets a treat for nailing it, why shouldn’t you? Progress looks better with chocolate—or wine. Cheers to being a dynamic duo! 


About Stephanie Barger, Canine Zen


Stephanie Barger is a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety and behavior modification. She spent the early years of her career teaching humans before transitioning to dog training over a decade ago. Her passion is helping you and your dog live more harmoniously together.


The name of her business, Canine Zen, embodies her approach to life with our dogs. She recognizes that dogs are living, breathing, sentient, social beings that need human support, compassion, and understanding to live beside us in our strange human world. She shows people how to effectively communicate with their dogs and understand what their dogs are trying to say to them. She strives to provide a safe environment for dogs and humans to learn and thrive together without fear, pain, or judgment.


If your life with your dog is not what you anticipated and "nothing has worked" to change things, Stephanie can help you understand and work with your dog to achieve your goals and a better life together. She is an amazing teacher, works compassionately with humans and dogs, and provides practical solutions for your dog training needs. Her goal is to calm the chaos in your home.


Feel free to contact Stephanie if you want to transform your relationship with your dog and create a more harmonious home. You can also ask questions in the comment box below. 


Free Discovery Call with Stephanie: https://train.caninezen.com/book-discovery-call-page


Stephanie and Canine Zen's links/handles:  



  

 



Stephanie’s Certifications/Organizational Affiliations:  


Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)  

Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA)  

Certificate of Completion-Aggression in Dogs Master Class  

Fear Free Certified Professional (FFP-Trainer)  

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)  

Member of the Association of Professional Trainers (APT)  

Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)  

Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)  

Alignable Ambassador: Alliance of Central NM  

Alignable Group Co-Leader: Pet Industry Group  

Owner/Operator of Canine Zen LLC


 
 
 

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