A Real-Life Success Story
Sometimes the most important moments in dog training happen when you least expect them.
The Call That Made Our Day
Yesterday, we received one of those phone calls that reminds us exactly why we do what we do. Mike, whose Papillon puppy Lucy, had just completed our 6-week puppy training programme, called with an incredible story.
“I had to tell you what happened,” he said, his voice still shaky with adrenaline. “Lucy’s training literally saved a life today.”
When Training Becomes Life-Saving
Here’s what unfolded in Mike’s living room:
One of his beloved tropical fish had somehow jumped out of its tank – a heart-stopping moment for any fish owner. Before Mike could even process what was happening, Lucy had spotted the flapping fish on the floor and, with typical puppy curiosity, picked it up in her mouth.
Time seemed to freeze.
Then Mike remembered his training. Without hesitation, he commanded: “LEAVE IT!”
Lucy immediately dropped the fish, completely unharmed. The little fish was quickly returned to its tank, where it’s now swimming happily as if nothing happened.
Check out our video on how to teach a ‘LEAVE IT’ , life-saving command.
Why This Story Matters
This isn’t just a heartwarming tale – it’s a perfect example of why we train dogs for real-life situations, not just perfect training scenarios.
The Power of the “Leave It” Command
During our 6-week programme, Mike and Lucy had practiced the “leave it” command countless times:
– With treats on the ground
– With distractions during walks
– In increasingly challenging outdoor environments
But they never practiced with a fish.
That’s the beauty of proper training – when a dog truly understands a command, they’ll respond regardless of the situation.
Check out our puppy training hub page.
Training Under Pressure
In that crucial moment, several things had to align perfectly:
- Mike’s confidence – He trusted his training enough to use the command under pressure
- Lucy’s response – Weeks of consistent practice meant the command was automatic
- The relationship – The bond built through positive, harmony training, created reliable communication
Real-Life Training for Real-Life Moments
This story perfectly illustrates why we conduct all our training outdoors with real-world distractions. Life doesn’t happen in a village hall – it happens in your living room, at the park, on busy streets, and yes, sometimes around fish tanks.
What This Means for Your Puppy
Every puppy owner hopes they’ll never face an emergency situation. But when you do, you want to know your dog will respond instantly to potentially life-saving commands like:
– “Leave it” – For dangerous or precious items (like tropical fish!)
– “Come” – For recall away from traffic or other dangers – check out our online Recall Training Course
– “Stay” – To prevent your dog from running into harm’s way
– “Drop it” – For when they’ve already picked up something they shouldn’t have
The Ripple Effect of Good Training
Mike’s story doesn’t end with a saved fish. The confidence he gained from this experience has transformed his relationship with Lucy. He now knows, without a doubt, that his puppy will listen when it truly matters.
This confidence shows in everything they do together:
– Relaxed walks knowing Lucy won’t pick up dangerous items
– Stress-free visits to friends’ homes
– Peace of mind in new environments
– The joy of having a truly trustworthy companion – a companion that goes out cycling with him
Your Puppy’s Potential
Every puppy has the potential to be a Lucy – responsive, reliable, and ready to make the right choice even in unexpected situations. But this level of training doesn’t happen by accident.
It requires:
– Consistent practice in varied environments
– Professional guidance to ensure commands are properly understood and only used as a back up – not ‘white noise’
– Real-world application beyond basic good behaviour
– Building a strong communication foundation between you and your puppy
The Bottom Line
We may never know what situation your puppy’s training might help them navigate. It could be a tropical fish, a child’s dropped toy, a piece of dangerous food, or something we can’t even imagine.
But we do know this: when that moment comes, you’ll be grateful for every training session, every practice command, and every moment invested in building that crucial communication with your puppy.
Ready to give your puppy life-saving skills? Check out start dates or our next 6 week programme, or our online puppy training programme. We’d love to help you create your own success story.
Because you never know when good training will save the day.
