Sometimes Nothing Is the Best Something
Doing Nothing On Purpose
In dog training, we often focus on doing. Practice the cue. Play the game. Reward the behavior.
But sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is nothing.
I’m not talking about ignoring your dog. I’m talking about intentionally being still — giving your dog space to look, listen, and process without rushing to fill the moment.
Why “Nothing” Matters
Life throws a lot at our dogs. New sights, sounds, and smells can be exciting or overwhelming. If we always do something the second they notice something new, we don’t give them the chance to figure it out on their own.
Pausing:
Builds calmness
Teaches patience
Helps dogs learn to regulate themselves
Reduces reactivity by giving the brain time to process instead of react
Roo: My Original “Do Nothing” Teacher
Roo taught me a lot over the years — honestly, I could fill a book with her lessons — but one that really stuck was the value of doing nothing.
When she was younger, I thought we always had to be doing something together. If she noticed a dog or a person, I’d redirect her, cue her, get her moving. My mindset was: “We have to handle this.”
Roo had a different approach. Sometimes she would just… stop. Ears relaxed, eyes soft, breathing easy — almost like she was saying, “This moment doesn’t need anything from us.”
At first, I didn’t realize how powerful that was. But over time, I saw it in action — a loose dog would pass on the other side of the street, and Roo would quietly watch instead of reacting. No tension, no drama, just observation.
It clicked for me: she wasn’t being lazy or disengaged. She was choosing calm. That became my model for Bagheera and every dog since — that sometimes the best thing I can teach is the art of simply existing without having to fix, chase, or control everything.
Jasper: Learning Calm in the Middle of It All
Jasper is a young dog I’ve been working with in downtown Truckee. He can be reactive and pretty unsure about a lot of things — new sounds, sudden movement, and the unpredictability of busy streets.
During one session, instead of walking him from distraction to distraction, we found a bench and just sat. No agenda, no pressure. We watched the world move by — people chatting, bikes rolling past, cars pulling in and out.
At first, he was alert and a little tense, scanning for the next “problem” to solve. But as the minutes passed, his breathing slowed. His ears softened. He wasn’t flinching at every noise anymore.
By the time we got up, something had shifted — he was more responsive to me, less jumpy, and willing to follow my lead. That pause didn’t just calm him in the moment; it set us up for a better rest of the session.
Bagheera’s “Do Nothing” Moment
When Bagheera was younger, she wanted to respond to everything. A squirrel moving in the trees? Game on.
I started building in intentional pauses during walks — stopping in a safe spot, letting her watch without moving toward the distraction.
At first, she shifted her weight like she was ready to launch. I stayed still, relaxed, and waited. After a few seconds, she’d glance back at me as if to say, “We’re not chasing that, huh?”
That little look became my opportunity to quietly reinforce her choice to stay calm. Over time, she began offering it on her own — choosing to watch instead of react.
Why It Works (The Science Bit)
Dogs are constantly assessing their environment. When we give them the space to process without pressure, a few important things happen:
Arousal drops: Heart rate and breathing slow, which makes calmer behavior more likely.
Desensitization occurs: They see the trigger without a negative experience, building a more neutral association.
Optimism grows: They learn that not every new thing is a threat — some can just be watched and left alone.
Trust builds: They start to believe we won’t push them into situations they can’t handle.
This isn’t just “doing nothing” — it’s strategic, purposeful calm.
How to Practice “Nothing”
1) Pick the Right Moment
A mild distraction (jogger in the distance, a dog across the street) works best to start
Too big a challenge and your dog won’t be able to settle enough to learn
2) Plant Your Feet
Stand in a neutral, balanced stance
Avoid tension in the leash — you’re not holding them back, just holding space
3) Wait Without Pressure
No commands, no “leave it” — just be
Let them watch, sniff, or listen
4) Mark the Calm
The moment they shift toward calm — a softer body, a glance back, a sigh — quietly acknowledge and reward
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too close to the trigger: If your dog can’t focus on anything but the distraction, you’re too close.
Holding the leash tight: This adds tension and can make the moment feel unsafe.
Rushing the pause: Give them time to fully process before moving on.
Accidentally rewarding tension: Wait for actual relaxation before marking and rewarding.
The Big Takeaway
Not every moment needs to be filled with cues, games, or movement.
By choosing moments to stand still, breathe, and simply exist together, you help your dog learn that the world doesn’t always require a reaction.
Sometimes… nothing is the best something.
