Every session will go sideways at some point. The difference between a productive session and a wasted one isn’t whether things fall apart — it’s what you do when they do.
The golden rule: Always end on a win. Even if the win is a simple sit. Never end a session in frustration.
Identify the Problem
When things go wrong, it’s one of three things. Identify which one, then follow the protocol.
Scenario 1: Too Hot (Over-Aroused)
What it looks like:
- Mouthing your hands instead of the toy
- Can’t hold a sit for even a second
- Jumping, spinning, barking, frantic energy
- Grabbing the tug before you present it
- Ignoring commands she normally knows
What’s happening: Her arousal is above her thinking threshold. She’s in reactive mode, not learning mode.
The Protocol:
- Stop the game. Tug goes behind your back or under your arm. No more access.
- Be boring. Stand still. No eye contact. No talking. Wait 10-15 seconds.
- Ask for something simple. One sit. That’s it. Wait for it.
- When she sits: Calm GOOD. Treat in position. Wait 3 seconds. Another GOOD + treat.
- If she can hold the sit for 5 seconds: You have a choice —
- Resume the game at lower intensity, OR
- End on this win. Calm praise, BREAK, session over.
Don’t: Yell, physically push her down, get frustrated yourself. Match her energy going down, not up.
Scenario 2: Checked Out (Distracted)
What it looks like:
- Sniffing the ground instead of engaging
- Looking everywhere except at you
- Won’t take treats or isn’t interested in the toy
- Walking away from you
- Responds to commands slowly or not at all
What’s happening: You’re not more interesting than the environment. Either the distractions are too high, she’s tired, or the reward isn’t motivating enough.
The Protocol:
- Don’t chase her. Physically or verbally. No repeated commands.
- Move away. Walk 5-10 steps in the opposite direction. Movement creates interest.
- Make a noise. Kissy sound, clap, excited voice. One time only.
- If she re-engages: YES! Big reward. Jackpot treat or an excited tug rep. Make coming back to you the best choice she’s made all day.
- If she doesn’t re-engage within 15 seconds: The session is over. No punishment, no frustration. She’s telling you something — the environment is too much, or she’s tapped out.
- End with one easy thing near you (lure a sit with a treat if needed). Reward. BREAK. Done.
Don’t: Repeat her name over and over. Grab her collar to bring her back. Get louder. All of these teach her to ignore you harder.
Fix it for next time: Lower the distraction level. Train indoors. Use higher-value rewards. Or accept she was just done — 5 good minutes is better than 10 mediocre ones.
Scenario 3: Frustrated (Confused or Stuck)
What it looks like:
- Offering random behaviors rapidly (sit-down-spin-bark)
- Shutting down — won’t try anything
- Stress signals: lip licking, yawning, looking away, whale eye
- Doing the behavior halfway and quitting
- Getting slower and more tentative with each rep
What’s happening: She doesn’t understand what you’re asking, or the criteria jumped too fast. She’s trying and failing, which erodes confidence.
The Protocol:
- Make it easier. Immediately. Go back to the last thing she was succeeding at.
- Get some wins. 3-5 easy reps of something she knows cold. Sit. Hand touch. Anything with a high success rate.
- Reward generously. She needs to feel successful again. Multiple treats, excited praise.
- If she bounces back: Try the harder thing again, but make it one step easier than where she failed. Break it into smaller pieces.
- If she doesn’t bounce back: End the session on the easy stuff. BREAK. Come back to it tomorrow with a better setup.
Don’t: Push through. Repeat the same failed rep hoping she’ll figure it out. Lower your voice or get stern. She’s not being stubborn — she’s confused.
Fix it for next time: Break the skill into smaller steps. You jumped criteria too fast. Go back and fill in the gaps.
Universal Recovery Sequence
If you’re in the middle of a session and something goes wrong but you’re not sure which scenario it is, use this:
- Pause. Stop whatever drill you’re doing. Take a breath. Stand neutral.
- Wait 5 seconds. Let the energy settle.
- Ask for a sit. Just a sit. Nothing fancy.
- She sits? GOOD. Treat. Wait 3 seconds. GOOD. Treat.
- She doesn’t sit? Lure it with a treat. She does it? YES. Treat. Done.
- End on that. BREAK. Session over. Come back later or tomorrow.
This sequence works because:
- It interrupts whatever negative pattern was forming
- It asks for something she knows, rebuilding confidence
- It gives you a win to end on, no matter what happened before
Prevention: Reading Her Before Things Break
The best rescue is the one you don’t need. Watch for early signs:
Arousal climbing too fast:
- Breathing rate increasing
- Movement getting jerkier
- Starts anticipating (grabbing before you present)
- Action: Pause. Insert an obedience rep. Slow the pace.
Engagement dropping:
- Response latency increasing (slower to respond)
- Fewer check-ins (less eye contact)
- Lower tail carriage or energy
- Action: Increase reward value. Move to something more exciting. Or end early.
Confusion building:
- Success rate dropping below 60%
- Hesitation before responding
- Looking at you longer without offering behavior
- Action: Make it easier. Right now. Don’t wait for the wheels to come off.
The Mindset
A rescued session is a successful session. You caught a problem, redirected, and ended on a win. That’s not failure — that’s handling.
The only failed session is one that ends in frustration for either of you.