"Slow down — we’re in a hurry."
It’s one of my favorite quotes, and it’s a reminder that couldn’t be more true when it comes to dog training.
When we feel behind, when we want results faster, or when we’re chasing a training goal with a deadline—it’s tempting to rush. We try to jump from “first success” to “polished behavior” as quickly as possible.
But in doing so, we often skip the most powerful part of the process:
The small steps.
Why We Skip Them (And Why We Shouldn’t)
It’s easy to underestimate the power of small steps. They can feel… well, small.
We think, “Surely we can add more time, more distractions, more distance by now…”
But when we skip ahead too quickly, we run into:
- Confusion
- Inconsistent behavior
- Stress for the dog (and us)
- Repeating the same mistakes again and again
And we end up needing to go back and fix things we could’ve prevented—if we’d just gone slower.
What Small Steps Actually Do
Small steps aren’t a sign you’re going slow.
They’re a sign you’re building something strong.
Each small step adds:
✔ Clarity – Your dog knows exactly what’s expected
✔ Success – Frequent reinforcement keeps motivation high
✔ Progress – Each success builds fluency and confidence
✔ Stability – Your behavior becomes reliable, not rehearsed
Examples of Small (But Mighty) Steps
You don’t need dramatic progress every session.
These small changes matter:
✔ Increasing a sit duration from 3 to 5 seconds
✔ Adding just one mild distraction
✔ Increasing the distance from 1 to 2 meters
✔ Standing at a slight angle instead of face-on
These aren’t just filler steps. They’re essential reps that help your dog understand, succeed, and trust the process.
Slow Is Fast in Dog Training
It sounds backwards, but the slower you move, the faster you reach your goal.
Why?
Because fewer steps skipped = fewer setbacks.
And less re-training = more actual progress.
If your dog doesn’t “get it” yet, it’s not because they’re stubborn or distracted or "not ready."
It’s often because the last step was too big.
The fix? Go smaller. And more often than not—it works.
“Slow Down, We’re in a Hurry.”
This quote is your reminder that rushing creates more delay than progress.
The trainers who move with intention, who break things down, who respect the learning process—those are the ones who get there fastest.
Not because they push.
But because they build behavior with strength and strategy.
Final Thoughts
If you're feeling stuck, scattered, or like your training isn’t “moving fast enough” — pause. Zoom in.
Find the next small step. That’s where your progress lives.
And remember: slow is smooth, and smooth becomes fast.