Problem Solving Unleashed: Practical tools to make training effective and approachable, while embracing curiosity, connection, and the beautifully chaotic realities of growth—for both dogs and their humans.

The Big Picture

A Nesting Doll Analogy

Before we dive in, let’s set the record straight: The ideas in this book come from years of education, hands-on experience, and collaboration with some of the best minds in behavior, veterinary care, and training. They’re not pinned to a single study or dataset. But let’s face it, the science of behavior rarely fits neatly into one box. These insights are drawn from real-world outcomes, tested (and sometimes retested) in the messiness of life with personal and clients' dogs.

So, while this isn’t drawn from a stack of academic papers, it’s far from guesswork. It’s practical, thoughtful, and ready to face the real-world challenges that science, observation and a little common sense can tackle together.

Efficiency is key. To truly understand behavior, we need a framework that’s both manageable and effective. Picture a set of nesting dolls—they’re a perfect way to visualize behavior. Like nesting dolls, there’s a limit to how many layers are practical. Too many, and it becomes overwhelming—inefficient and endless. That’s why I’ve capped this system at five layers. Usually, I stick to threes for their simplicity, but to fully grasp complex systems, five layers strike the perfect balance—deep enough to cover the intricacies, yet manageable.

Behavior is complex—sometimes overwhelming. But when you break it down into layers, it becomes a lot easier to understand. Back to those dolls - each represents a layer, connected by an invisible bungee cord that keeps them tightly linked. You can pull on certain sections to focus on specific layers, but they’re never fully separate. The tension in the cord keeps them all connected, working together to form a cohesive whole.

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Here’s how the layers stack up for my book:

• Foundation: Understanding the difference between drive and energy. This core layer addresses the basics: behavior chains, needs and arousal states. It’s the groundwork everything else is built on.
• Concept: Arousal states initiate momentum, setting behaviors into motion. Once the foundation is laid, this layer connects the dots, showing how momentum builds from arousal levels and influences the direction and flow of behavior
• Nuance: Progress is in the details. By practicing regulation in daily routines, this layer focuses on balancing trade-offs, experimenting, and channeling energy into steady progress—making impulse control easier to teach.
• Problem Solving: Preparing for the unexpected. This layer tackles real-world challenges by teaching adaptability through skills like emergency recalls, communication, and navigating changes calmly and effectively.
• Sustaining: Consistency that adapts to real life. The outermost layer ensures progress lasts, reinforcing skills with just enough variability to make them work across different situations.

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Together, these layers form a connected framework, each playing its part. But it’s behavioral momentum that acts like a bungee cord—once things are in motion, it pulls the ideas back to one another, keeping everything elastic, cohesive, and grounded.

Behavior Momentum

The Force Behind the Action

Behavioral momentum is the force that keeps behaviors moving forward once they've started—it’s the continuity of action. For high-drive dogs, though, momentum doesn’t wait for the tracks to be built—it’s like a runaway train that’s already barreling toward the cliff. The challenge is in finding a way to guide that momentum before things go off the rails.

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Instead of slamming the brakes, here are three strategies for working with the train:

• Blast through: Let the momentum run its course, with just enough direction to prevent a crash.
• Go around: Shift the environment or adjust your goals to accommodate the train’s speed and path.
• Redirect: Steering the train onto safer, purpose-built tracks, using bridges to guide it away from the cliff

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When you work with momentum instead of fighting against it, you’re not just preventing chaos—you’re giving behaviors a chance to find their way onto solid ground.

Foundation

Drive vs Energy

At the heart of the nesting doll system is the relationship between drive and energy—two forces shaping how behaviors unfold. Drive is a dog’s instinctual motivation, like herding or retrieving—it’s focused and purposeful. Energy is the fuel behind those actions—the stamina and intensity that bring them to life. It’s playful, chaotic, and not always tied to a specific goal. Together, they form the foundation for understanding and addressing behavior challenges.

“Did you walk your dog today?” It’s not just a question—it’s loaded advice disguised as judgment. The underlying message is clear: unless you’re taking your dog on daily walks, you’re failing as an owner. But here’s the thing: walking your dog might burn off energy, but it doesn’t magically balance their drive and energy, nor does it tackle deeper behavior challenges. Instead of buying into this guilt-driven approach, consider a different, more intentional option such as the "magic grass" exercise.

The "magic grass" exercise doesn’t feel like dog training—it’s about curiosity and connection. It might feel a little weird, but that’s part of the charm. Pick a time once or twice a week to head outside together and explore. Find something ordinary, like a blade of grass, and make it fascinating—talk to it, gesture toward it—but don’t call your dog over. Let them decide to check it out. When they do, give them some praise and a treat, toss a few more treats in the area, and walk away. This isn’t about instant obedience—it’s a way to gauge how relevant you are to your dog in that moment, without pressure. By tapping into their curiosity, you also create a shortcut around any negative learning history, helping them reset and reconnect naturally.

These moments don’t need to be complicated. Tossing food in the yard or weaving in simple problem-solving tasks can go a long way in building focus and connection. It’s less about wearing your dog out and more about giving them purposeful outlets for their energy. And let’s be real—humans have their limits too. Picking activities that feel good for you, fit your lifestyle and don’t leave you burnt out is just as important. Sustainable choices help everyone thrive.

By shifting the focus from guilt-driven routines to approaches that balance drive and energy—and tapping into curiosity—you create space for real progress. It’s not about perfection; it’s about building engagement that works for both ends of the leash, leaving you and your dog feeling more connected.

Your replies fuel this journey and help me make each episode better. Plus, it’s always great to hear from you!

Let’s explore what’s possible, together—with curiosity, compassion, and a good dose of humor.