250 | What Does It Mean to Influence Your Dog?

Beyond Obedience | Dog Training, Dog Body Language, Anxious Dogs, Scared Dogs, Reactive Dogs · Oct 22, 2026 · 19m

Hey Dog Lover 🐾

Is having an obedient dog the same thing as having influence over your dog?

Not necessarily.

Have you ever stopped to think about WHY you're asking your dog to do something? Is it because it's necessary, because it helps your dog navigate a situation, or simply because you expect them to listen?

In this episode, I'm sharing a little encounter I had at the feed store with a very happy chocolate Lab and an interaction that made me say, out loud, "Ooh, gross!"

And no, this isn't about whether asking your dog to sit is right or wrong.

It's about something much bigger.

The…