Behaviour Breakdowns: Watching the World Go By

Behaviour Breakdowns
Written By Christine Adams

Just hanging out and watching the world go by is one of the most underrated ways to support your dog — whether you're socializing a puppy, helping a reactive dog feel safer, or reinforcing the behaviours you want to see more of.

In this session, Hank and I take advantage of the election night crowd to practise calm observation, build engagement, and check in with each other around a whole lot of distractions.

What You’ll Notice

  • Hank uses observation time to gather information before choosing engagement

  • I reinforce offered behaviours rather than cueing anything

  • Distance and the car create a natural “safety bubble”

  • Calm moments are reinforced to build emotional safety

  • Distractions become part of learning instead of something to fight against

Why This Matters

Observation is a powerful skill — especially for sensitive or reactive dogs. Allowing a dog to watch the world from a safe distance helps them process movement, sound, and people without becoming overwhelmed.
Reinforcing calm engagement during these moments builds trust and confidence for future outings.

 

📍 Location: Waubaushene, Ontario
🌍 Environment: Busy / Crowded / Familiar
🎯 Focus: Engagement & Calm Observation

Christine Adams

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

https://www.christinescanineconsulting.com/
Previous

Behaviour Breakdowns: Staying With Me Around People
Next

Behaviour Breakdowns: Pattern Games for Walks