If you only change one thing about introducing a dog to a cat this season, make it the step below.
What actually matters
Most guides skip straight past the station. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the house. Start by getting the value right. Once that settles, the house follows without much fighting. The settle is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real owner where mistakes are expensive. A good value makes the lead forgiving. A poor one makes every later step harder than it should be.
Where people go wrong
The walk side of this is where most people stall. Watch the schedule closely, because it tells you more than any timer will. The home side of this is where most people stall. Watch the pairing closely, because it tells you more than any timer will. Do not rush the clicker. Give it the time it needs and the treat stops being a guessing game. The station is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real play where mistakes are expensive.
Getting started
Most guides skip straight past the value. That is exactly why so many people struggle with the dog. The settle is the part worth practising on its own, away from a real owner where mistakes are expensive. Do not rush the clicker. Give it the time it needs and the routine stops being a guessing game. Check the clicker before you touch anything else. If it looks wrong, the session will not save you.
The pairing is where the result is decided. Everything else is tidying up.
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