08/14/2025
Wanna know more about Ttouch? Check out this article from Robyn.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1719JNcT3F/?mibextid=wwXIfr
For many of us, patience does not come easily. We live in a time where we do not have to wait for much and slowing down does not necessarily come naturally. When we interact with out animals we tend to expect immediate compliance. We ask for a Sit, a Come, Back, Halt (depending on the species) and expect an instant response. Often, without realizing it, we repeat the cue again and again — three, four, even five times — before our animal has even had a moment to process what we’ve asked.
But here’s the reality: the journey from request to response isn’t instantaneous. The signal travels a surprisingly long path:
Our brain → our body → their body → their brain → their body… and only then do we see the result.
Now imagine adding in the challenges of real life — a distracting environment, a new skill being taught, or the stress of an unfamiliar situation. Every extra factor makes it even more important to allow a pause. That moment of stillness is not wasted time; it’s the essential bridge between your intention and their understanding.
When we give our animals time to think, we:
• Build trust through patience, allowing them time to process so they’re not being pressured or rushed into compliance.
• Create space for understanding, allowing them to truly learn rather than simply react.
• Lay the foundation for long-lasting responsiveness, cooperation, and confidence.
In our experience slowing down at the beginning often makes things go faster in the long run. Instead of drilling or demanding and adding pressure, we allow time for the nervous system and body to process and respond to the request.
For us, training isn’t about forcing immediate obedience. It’s about communication, trust, and connection.
As your animal feels safer and clearly understands the request, the response becomes quicker and more immediate without the escalation of pressure, coercion or repetition.
So next time you give a cue, try this: ask once, then pause. Breathe. Watch their body language. Give them the gift of time. You might be surprised at the depth of the response you receive and the long lasting results.
