You can check out the demo of using Balance Breaks in training here on KZfaq: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mNJ0ksWTktSum4k.html

Thanks so much for all your great videos

This is incredibly useful! I've come across this video as I've been looking for ways to improve my pup's motivation to work with me. Now I know what to do! thank you, Susan 🐶

A good easy trick is to literally just take like 5 (or X) cookies and when they end your training ends, that works great for me and keeps me focused

Thanks for the reminder!! Awesome 👍

I'm going to start implementing this straight away, it hadn't occurred to me to use them at such short intervals before, but now it makes perfect sense! Thank you!!!!

This and your reinforcement podcasts have been magical

I started this in my next training session and what a difference it made. We BOTH had fun and my dog was actually excited to train. She usually is quite passive and this time she was energized and alert. I have a feeling this is going to make a huge difference in our training and I am going to see very positive results. Thank you once again for a great Podcast.

We use it even I didn't have a name for it and it sounds pretty good :-)

This is life changing. I had not used or heard of balance breaks and my pup was starting to wander. I will do it 👏👏

I will start this immediately....I never realized this could be an effective training tool

I am new to your school because I have a new Border Collie... And you are really helping me!!! But, what I really want to say is that I am a professional dressage rider and trainer and I naturally use all these tools on my horses so I am aware that this method works!! Sadly, not many people in the horse world believe in balanced breaks. I just thought of myself as a bit of a "lazy" trainer - I often do a behavior once and then walk and give treats! And when I walk and give treats I just drop the reins and let the horse totally chill out. Now I want to figure out how to do this with my dog!! I think the hard part is I don't know enough tricks to train - so I am slowly understanding different ways to shape dog behavior!

I have a new young dog that I am starting and I have been really loving the podcasts. I am watching the "value" happened right before my eyes with techniques like using the balance brakes with her tug toys between little bursts of training. We have a travel plank that she's learning the two on two off as a precursor for her agility contact work. She has started to see value in it and putting her feet on it, and I'll catch her over there seeing if she can get my attention by standing on the board or putting two on. She makes me laugh all the time and I am having so much fun with Susan's training methods! Thank you Susan!

Tater as a cherub is my favorite graphic!!

Came to watch how to put balance breaks in, my dog just doesn't want to STOP the training...definitely think the key is to back track and do fun Recallers games. Just zero interest in toys when training brain is on!

We love balance breaks even though my dog is still learning to enjoy Tug. Easy, efficient balance breaks for us can consist of hand targets, collar grabs or tossed treats. Pets and lots of verbal praise. Thanks for another great podcast!

Love you, from me at training paws 🐾 Northern Ireland

Thanks for this. I am not shortening sessions. I was pushing Harry too hard I think

This tip was magic!!! What a difference it made in a training session the very first time.

Ok Susan. I have known about your balance breaks before and have let them slide into a complacent area. So, out comes my video and gorilla stand to make sure I am INTENTIONAL with the breaks and my plan. I am not pleased with myself for slacking and that is something I can and will be changing. Again, another great video. My cousin has a brand new puppy coming Feb 16th. And at 8 weeks old she's got loads of podcasts and videos on youtube to catch up. Thanks Susan. PS. I saw little This! walking around behind you.

Always! Those breaks are critical.

A balanced break is just like a release when training a horse. It's so important not to push too far and to pause to reinforce they are doing awesome. 🙂 It helps it stay in their mind.

Wow I've been using something like break without even knowing. Usually I throwed a treat a bit away (he was a food dog) or toy to my current dog and I always took it as a 'mind restart', like a vent from training for couple of seconds and I works!

Thank you so much! I'm a professional dog trainer (very green though) and I've been developing my own style for quite some time and you're the first trainer I've come across that confirms and encourages the style of training I do. Some of the ideas and theory behind things I've been trying out, turns out have been being done by you for decades! Way cool and I feel super validated! So anyway I've been listing to your podcasts in order for the past few weeks and this one truly hit a lightbulb for me. I had already figured out play breaks can help dogs get rengaged and take the pressure off. However you are RIGHT I've been doing them wrong in some of my cases. I sometimes try to use a play break as a last effort to get a dog refocused that's too distracted or uninterested (too high pressure) etc. and generally it doesn't work because the dog isn't interested in playing at that point. I'm going to start interweaving more "break" sessions between the training when they ARE interested. It's so silly and simple but DUH. Plus you kinda touched on it, but for some dogs who get disinterested or don't want to train anymore and go off and sniff, letting them then play rug or chase a ball then is actually awarding and reinforcing the disengagement. Duhhh. So anyway. Definitely gonna try structering some more purposeful play breaks!

Oh this is such a relief, I have been doing marathon training and both the dog and I am exhausted. Today is going to be awesome wit DASH. Thank you

Sometimes I do balance breaks, I was training in an offsite location and added them there, which was easy during covid. Now that people are back its not easy to have our space to do so. So I skipped that and my dog had much less fun! Sad... now I need to either change time or location so we can get those breaks in. My dog doesnt like tug, but a fetch in some places is impossible so I need a new strategy for outside breaks.

Love this...I think this is the key to changing my training. Balance breaks, transferring value, bigger variety of rewards, self discipline for scheduling and planning, and games are what is going to change me and my dog's life! He's the type of dog I used to call "stubborn", "couch potato", "typical northern breed doesn't care", but I think I've finally found out what I've been doing wrong, and what I've been missing in my training to help him see the value in being and training with me. THANK YOU!

I think without realizing it that I have been using Treat Diving as a balanced break! I've just started Home School the Dog with my younger dog and he LOVES treat diving, even if it's boring piece of kibble

Ive been reading Ruff Love and just thought to come see if you have any videos on youtube, jackpot! You have an amazing tone and way of explaining, love it! Are there any videos of the 3-2-1 game? I read it and reread it but I pulled my brain trying to visualize it. What is perpendicular to my dog?

Makes so much sense. I need to be organised and play more between short sessions.

You explained so well !!! I train my Newfs in water rescue with several other owners/dogs. I will definitely use balance breaks in our training !!! Thank you !!!

I am so thankful for you Susan Garrett! I don't know a thing about dog training but recently purchased one of your programs, and every single thing you put out in the Universe is a gem. Thank you for explaining the importance of Balance Breaks, and for defining it so well that I can understand it. I am off to have a fun quick session on Hand Targets, and have the tug toy all ready :)

I’m so happy I found you! I LOVE your ideas and teaching methods! I’m going to start balance breaks with my new Aussie puppy. Thank you! If you haven’t made a video on the following already, I’d love to to know more about when and how to phase out treats when training, reducing separation anxiety( that continues despite thoughtful physical and mental exercise), and how to introduce a command that says “KEEP GOING! I like what you’re doing”. I’m training my dog to roll a soccer ball with his nose, but he looks up at me for reinforcement after each roll. I want to build up to more rolls but I’d definitely use the long command for other tricks! Thanks again!!!!

Powerful podcast!! Thought I was doing these BBs, but clearly I wasn’t. Just tried it *this* way, using your rules, to work on a Recallers assignment, your tugging module, and also an AKC Advanced Trick Dog trick we’ve been working on for some time with lackluster results. Like T McLeod said, we BOTH had SOOOO much more fun!! It was truly wonderful to see my dog’s eyes shine with joy. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this transforms our training progress. Fingers crossed! THANKS for a terrific episode!!

Thank you so much for excellent podcasts. All of them are great. They are such a good resource of information’s and practical tips for new dog owners as well as for experienced dog owners and trainers. I recommended your podcasts to many of my friends and they are happy, that with your help, they can solve or prevent problems with their dogs. If I can make a wish. I would like to listen the podcast: HOW I STOP MY DOG FROM BARKING. For me specially fence guarding, and alarm barking is a problem (sheltie). But, I´m sure, that barking is big issue generally and lots of dog owners is struggling with that. Thank you for consideration. I look forward to hearing your new episodes.

Well timed information! I had been trying to include balance breaks in my training, but was usually adding them too late. I am definitely going to change how I incorporate them!

Hmmm could the thing I picked up from Kikopup count as BB - it's something like, offer a tug toy, tug, cue drop, cue something else, cue tug toy and tug (as reward, if they did it well and quickly), cue drop, cue something else, etc?

This makes sense. But, I have been training short sessions, and when it goes well, I end it and let him go play. Then, we do some more. I'm kind of embarrassed as a Recallers' student that I haven't been doing this. Thanks, Susan.

Another thing that I am very interested in is, if you train for such a short time with your dogs (not talking about puppies), how many times do you train a day? I assume with 5 minutes a day you wouldn't be able to reach your goals in training. (I don't know much about agility, we are in canine freestyle, so it might be different in each sport?)

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Thank you for another brilliant podcast. I feel so awful, I have been demanding of my dog, trying to create a perfect pet. Now suffering consequences. Please please, give me an idea what would be the best way to unwind everything and start fresh. I'm so lost and confused 😢😢

Looking forward to the video of you using balanced breaks with your puppy. What about training like hot zone? Is it useful to do balanced breaks for that? In the video on your Recallers there isn’t a balanced break when you were showing that one puppy hot zone

What would you suggest as a balance break if the dog is not into tugging but you have a small space (e.g. a very small room) where you can't play fetch or run away? Also, if we are talking about an experienced sports dog, what would you say could be the maximum time between balance breaks? (I know it differs from dog to dog, but generally?)

I can’t find you on Apple podcast.

Share at least 5 times a day. Too many folks are having problems with all kinds of breeds. If they would only search for answers. The answers are a click away! ❤️

I have three dogs, so how do I go about getting the dog ( do I do one at a time?) excited to go train without causing an uproar before I take one dog and go into my “training room”? Training is more difficult while watching these great videos since all three dogs are always together as a family. Do you have podcasts for what to do which multiples dogs? Thank you

What do you do if you're having a hard time being sincere?

No need to add breaks❤❤⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐