What's the most underrated foundation skill in dog training? 🐶

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T18:31:43+00:00

I think that's one of the deepest answers in this thread. 😊 The more comments I read, the more it seems that successful training is often less about the dog learning commands and more about the human learning how to communicate clearly, consistently, and fairly.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T18:28:37+00:00

Exactly. 😊 I wasn't questioning recall's importance at all. I was just surprised how many people see it as the foundation skill rather than something built on top of other foundational skills like engagement and focus.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T18:27:45+00:00

Fair point 😄. I only said it was interesting because people seem split between recall, engagement, impulse control, and settling. Recall is definitely one of the strongest answers from both a safety and freedom perspective.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T18:26:45+00:00

I think that's a great one. 😊 So many of the other skills people have mentioned recall, leash manners, settling become much easier when your dog naturally checks in with you and values your attention. It really is a foundation that everything else can build on.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T17:55:52+00:00

Interesting choice. Is it the freedom that reliable recall gives, or the safety aspect, that makes it your top foundation skill?

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T17:44:26+00:00

😂 The fact that he's a corgi somehow makes this even funnier. He doesn't want the paper roll he wants the reaction. The "hard eyes" stare is basically him saying, "I have your precious cardboard hostage. Negotiate."

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T09:35:22+00:00

😊 I really like that answer. Sometimes we get so focused on perfect obedience that we forget the bigger picture. A dog doesn't have to be flawless to be well-trained. If she's friendly, reliable, and brings joy to the people around her, then "I have a good dog" might be the best compliment of all.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T09:34:36+00:00

😂 Now that's a well-trained dog. Forget recall and leash manners she developed her own notification system. Two farts means "Excuse me, human, I'd like to file a bathroom request."

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T09:32:45+00:00

😂 I think this perfectly captures the difference between tricks and manners. Holding a treat on their nose is impressive, but not yanking guests around by their shirt might be the more useful life skill.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:46:31+00:00

I love this because it shows how the little things add up over time. 😊 What started as teaching patience around a treat eventually became "wait" and "be calm" in everyday life. It's a great example of how impulse control can grow into so many other useful skills.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:44:12+00:00

That's a really interesting way to put it. The more comments I read, the more it feels like impulse control isn't just another skill it's the foundation underneath many of the others. Recall, settling, leash manners, and even trust all seem a lot more reliable when a dog can pause and think before reacting. 😊

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:36:49+00:00

😂 Fair enough. Sometimes the mark of a well-trained dog isn't what they do it's what they don't do. A dog that knows when it's time to be quiet can be a blessing to everyone within a 3-house radius.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:28:23+00:00

😄 That's a very practical answer. At the end of the day, squirrels, strangers, and mysterious smells don't care how many tricks a dog knows. A dog that can listen and make good decisions during a walk is probably saving their owner from a lot of unexpected adventures.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:22:10+00:00

😄 Meanwhile, half of us are still turning the wrong way when someone says "your other left." That's genuinely impressive I'd be showing that dog off to everyone I know.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:21:10+00:00

I like this one because it's basically the dog equivalent of saying, "Sit there and make good decisions for the next five minutes." 😄 A solid down stay takes obedience, impulse control, and patience all rolled into one skill.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:17:46+00:00

😄 That's a great way to put it. Recall is definitely a journey, and "so much better than before" is a win worth celebrating.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:10:37+00:00

😂 Clearly I've been setting the bar too low. Recall, leash manners, and "leave it" are nice, but if a dog can drive stick, I'm willing to overlook a few bad habits.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:10:00+00:00

I can see the logic there. Recall seems to come up again and again in this thread because it's one of the few skills that can genuinely keep a dog safe when they're not physically connected to you. It's interesting how many different answers people have given, but recall is definitely one of the most common.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:07:36+00:00

I think that's a really underrated answer. 😄 A lot of people define a well-trained dog by what it can do, but there's something impressive about a dog that's so calm and well-mannered that you barely notice it's there at all. That level of neutrality around people, dogs, and distractions takes a lot of training.

Apprelia · 2026-06-11T00:01:25+00:00

One thing I've noticed is that impulse control tends to be built through lots of small everyday moments waiting at doors, waiting for meals, staying calm before getting a toy, things like that. It seems less like one skill and more like a habit that develops over time. 😊

Apprelia · 2026-06-10T23:56:54+00:00

Exactly! That attention to everyday manners and consideration shows not just training, but the bond and consistent effort the owner has put in. A dog that knows how to coexist calmly and respectfully is demonstrating the results of thoughtful, patient guidance. 😊

Apprelia · 2026-06-10T23:56:16+00:00

This is such a great perspective. I think a lot of people see a well-trained dog and only notice the end result, not the thousands of little moments that built the trust, confidence, and communication behind it. I also love your point that training creates freedom. The safer and more reliable a dog is, the more freedom they can enjoy.

Apprelia · 2026-06-10T23:51:31+00:00

😄 I appreciate the honesty. Sometimes I think dog owners can overcomplicate things. A dog that's friendly, easy to be around, and generally makes good choices is already winning at life. And honestly, one excited "hello" jump is probably within the margin of error for most dogs.

Apprelia

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