💪🏼 Module 5: Keeping the Momentum Alive
“The Long Game: How to Keep Growing, Even When Life Gets Messy”
🐾 The Reality of Training: Life Happens
By now, you’ve probably noticed:
Training isn’t a straight line.
Some days feel amazing — others feel like you’re back to square one.
That’s normal.
What matters isn’t avoiding every setback — it’s having a plan for what to do when challenges pop up, so you stay on track without getting discouraged.
🛠️ Common Roadblocks & How to Handle Them
1️⃣ Regression (“I thought we fixed this…”)
Sometimes old behaviors pop back up — usually triggered by stress, change, or just life happening.
Progress stalls. You’re doing the work, but things feel... stuck.
You’re frustrated. Your dog is frustrated. You’re both feeding off each other.
📈 Progress Planning: The "Stack & Build" Method
Long-term success comes from small layers stacking up over time.
1️⃣ Observe — stay curious about what’s working and what’s not
2️⃣ Adjust — tweak one variable at a time
3️⃣ Reinforce — keep rewarding desired behaviors
4️⃣ Rest — allow recovery time (for both of you)
🧠 When to Ask for Help
Sometimes you hit stuff that feels outside your wheelhouse — that’s okay too.
Reach out if:
🧠 Reflection Prompt
📝 Homework
📌 Final Takeaway
Behavior change is a journey. You don’t need perfection — you need consistency, curiosity, and compassion (for both species). Keep stacking those wins, stay flexible, and give yourself and your dog the grace to grow at your own pace.
🎉 Congratulations on completing Fearless Foundations!
“The Long Game: How to Keep Growing, Even When Life Gets Messy”
🐾 The Reality of Training: Life Happens
By now, you’ve probably noticed:
Training isn’t a straight line.
Some days feel amazing — others feel like you’re back to square one.
That’s normal.
What matters isn’t avoiding every setback — it’s having a plan for what to do when challenges pop up, so you stay on track without getting discouraged.
🛠️ Common Roadblocks & How to Handle Them
1️⃣ Regression (“I thought we fixed this…”)
Sometimes old behaviors pop back up — usually triggered by stress, change, or just life happening.
- Response: Go back to basics. Shorten the leash (figuratively and literally), simplify, and rebuild momentum with easy wins.
Progress stalls. You’re doing the work, but things feel... stuck.
- Response:
- Reassess the difficulty level: too easy or too hard?
- Mix up reinforcers (high-value treats, toys, praise).
- Increase structure temporarily to help reset patterns.
You’re frustrated. Your dog is frustrated. You’re both feeding off each other.
- Response:
- Pause. Take a break.
- Decompression walk.
- Reset expectations for the day.
📈 Progress Planning: The "Stack & Build" Method
Long-term success comes from small layers stacking up over time.
1️⃣ Observe — stay curious about what’s working and what’s not
2️⃣ Adjust — tweak one variable at a time
3️⃣ Reinforce — keep rewarding desired behaviors
4️⃣ Rest — allow recovery time (for both of you)
🧠 When to Ask for Help
Sometimes you hit stuff that feels outside your wheelhouse — that’s okay too.
Reach out if:
- You’re seeing aggressive or escalating behaviors
- Anxiety feels chronic or debilitating
- You’re simply feeling overwhelmed or stuck
🧠 Reflection Prompt
- Where am I seeing progress right now? (Celebrate it.)
- What’s one small adjustment I can make this week?
- Do I need outside support or am I just hitting a natural plateau?
📝 Homework
- Write down one win from this week, no matter how small.
- Identify one area where you can simplify or reset expectations.
- Schedule one decompression activity (for you and your dog).
📌 Final Takeaway
Behavior change is a journey. You don’t need perfection — you need consistency, curiosity, and compassion (for both species). Keep stacking those wins, stay flexible, and give yourself and your dog the grace to grow at your own pace.
🎉 Congratulations on completing Fearless Foundations!