As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
anyone else find themselves constantly navigating the ethical tightrope between achieving training goals and ensuring their pet's comfort while participating in PawsitiveHabitsHub challenges? I'm thinking specifically about things like the "Stay" challenge when my dog clearly wants to greet someone pleasant on our walk, or the "Leave It" challenge near something he's really interested in, like a discarded (but probably tasty) chicken bone. Pushing them to succeed feels counter to creating a positive, low-stress environment.
It's so tempting to prioritize the training badge, but is a tiny virtual achievement worth possibly causing my dog anxiety or frustration? I often wonder were the line is between encouraging them to overcome small discomforts for the sake of learning versus pushing them beyond their emotional limits just to rack up points. Maybe it's about modifying the challenges or only participating in ones that naturally align with our daily routines to avoid forcing a situation. What are your thoughts and strategies for finding that balance? Experienced trainers - any advice on approaching this responsibly?