Can You See It? Can You Feel It?

Can You See It? Can You Feel It? That moment when your dog is working their way through a beginner scent class, nose to the ground, following a trail… and then it happens. Their head lifts, they freeze for a split second — nose up — and then make an instant, confident 180 straight to the source.

You watch it happen and think, they’re really using their nose. You know it now. The first time you try shed hunting. You’re new, nervous, but you take a leap of faith. You unclip the lead, whisper a little prayer, and send your dog. You watch them search, find the shed, and bring it straight back — all within the time limit. They get it. And when they return, shed in mouth, tail wagging, that look in their eyes says: “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” Then there’s the tough day — the day you fall apart, when it feels like the world’s against you. And that wild, goofy, loyal nut bar of a dog… just knows. They press gently into your chest, leaning in with their whole being, quietly reminding you they’re there. That you’re not alone. Can you see it? Can you see it in their eyes — the way they brighten just a little when you mark the behavior you’ve been working so hard to shape with them? That flicker of understanding, the light bulb moment — you’ve seen it, right? Tell me you’ve seen it. And as a trainer, I love seeing it in you, too.

That incredible moment — often in Foundations 2 — when it all just clicks. When you realize they’ve got it. All the hard work you’ve poured into your training together… suddenly becomes effortless. They understand you. You’re speaking the same language now. Can you see it? Have you seen it? That look when they figure something out — that flash of pride in their eyes, the pep in their step, the way their tail swings like a victory flag. Whether they nail the mission or totally botch it, there’s a joy in the trying. There’s magic in the moment.