Hey {{first_name}} , it's Oscar.
Let me tell you about Laja.
She was my first Cane Corso. Beautiful brindle. Amazing temperament. Went everywhere with me - training field, Home Depot, kids' soccer games. Great with strangers, solid with my family, naturally protective of our home.
But here's the thing: Laja never had perfect heel position.
Not even close.
She'd lag behind sometimes. Get distracted by a squirrel. Pull a little when she was excited. If you judged her by Instagram standards - by what "perfect obedience" looks like online - she'd fail.
And you know what?
She was still the best dog I've ever had.
I think about that a lot now. Because I see so many handlers (and honestly, I've been guilty of this too) chasing perfect heel position, perfect sit-stays, perfect everything.
They're so focused on textbook obedience that they forget what actually matters.
In today's issue:
Why flawless obedience doesn’t always equal a reliable dog
The hidden skill that separates trained dogs from confident ones
How engagement changes what happens when pressure disappears
The foundation I prioritize before formal obedience—every time
What Actually Matters
Your dog doesn't need perfect heeling.
What your dog needs is engagement.
Let me explain the difference:
Obedience: Your dog does what you say
Mechanical, command-based
Can be forced
Looks good on video
Engagement: Your dog WANTS to work with you
Relationship-based
Can't be forced
Feels good in real life
Here's what I've learned after years of doing this:
A dog with engagement will learn obedience faster than a dog without it.
But a dog with obedience doesn't always have engagement.
I've seen plenty of dogs with perfect heel position who would rather be anywhere else. They're doing the work because they have to, not because they want to.
And I've seen "messy" dogs - dogs who aren't competition-ready, dogs who break position sometimes - who are absolutely locked in with their handler. Making eye contact. Checking in. Choosing to be there.
Give me the second dog every time.
What Engagement Actually Looks Like
So if perfect obedience isn't the goal, what are you looking for?
Here's what engagement looks like in real life:
• Eye contact - Your dog checks in with you, even when there are distractions
• Choice - Your dog comes back to you because they want to, not because they're forced
• Play - Your dog sees training as a game, not a chore
• Recovery - When your dog gets distracted, they snap back to you quickly
• Enthusiasm - Your dog's tail is up, they're moving with energy
You can see it in their body language. You can feel it when you're working with them.
It's the difference between a dog that's going through the motions and a dog that's actually connected to you.
How to Build It
Building engagement isn't complicated, but it does require you to shift your focus.
Instead of drilling commands, start here:
1. Make training fun
Use food, toys, play. Whatever your dog loves. Don't be stingy with rewards. Make it feel like a game, not a test.
2. Pay attention to your dog's attention
When your dog looks at you voluntarily - mark it. Reward it. You're teaching them that checking in with you is valuable.
3. Don't punish curiosity
If your dog gets distracted, don't immediately correct them. Call them back. When they return, reward them. You're building the habit of coming back to you.
4. Stop drilling the same command over and over
Engagement drops when training becomes boring. Mix it up. Keep sessions short. End on a high note.
5. Work on relationship before obedience
Spend time just playing with your dog. Building trust. Letting them see you as the source of good things, not just the source of commands.
Once you have engagement, obedience becomes easier.
Your dog WANTS to heel. They WANT to stay. They WANT to come when called.
Not because they're forced to. Because they're choosing to work with you.
When Perfect Obedience Actually Matters
Now, I'm not saying obedience doesn't matter at all.
If you're competing in IGP, Mondioring, French Ring - yeah, you need precision. The judges are looking for textbook execution. I get it.
But for 90% of the dogs I work with?
For the family Malinois who just needs to be solid in public?
For the Cane Corso who needs to walk nicely and not pull?
For the German Shepherd who needs reliable recall at the dog park?
Engagement matters more than perfect heel position.
Build the relationship first. The commands come second.
Your Turn
I'm curious: Are you focused more on obedience or engagement right now?
Hit reply and tell me what you're working on with your dog. What's your biggest challenge - getting perfect execution, or getting your dog to actually want to work with you?
I'll send you back my thoughts.
Elevate your mind, elevate your canine.
— Oscar Mora
Elevated Canine Academy
What’s new: Live Weekly Calls
Our Foundation to Function Course Members now get access to a weekly live coaching call - Bring your dog’s challenges, your videos, or your scenarios and get guidance you can apply immediately. [JOIN TODAY]
This course works whether you want a championship dog or just a good pet that listens.
Easy to go through at your own pace
THAT'S A WRAP
3 ways I can help:
1) Elevated Canine Academy: Professional training in LA, San Diego, and Dallas. From pet obedience to competition prep. Book a consultation » Elevated Canine Academy
2) Foundation to Function Course: My first instructional course just Dropped! Full foundation to competition-level work. [HERE]
3) Undrdog Brand: Training equipment built by trainers, for trainers. Vests, tugs, and more at Undrdog Brand»
Until next week,
- Oscar Mora
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