Fixing Mistakes

The approach is where dogs slip up, so build in a clear correction. If the dog lunges or pulls ahead of you on the way in, turn around and walk back to the start. Reset and try again.

The lesson lands fast: breaking the rules ends the approach, and only calm movement reaches the greeter. Most dogs work this out within a handful of tries.

Then widen the picture. Shrink the starting distance over time, and practice with different helpers — men, women, children, people in hats, people carrying bags.