When a dog stops believing its behavior makes a difference, everything unravels — drive, confidence, focus, all of it.

In this episode of The Rooted Podcast, Alison and Mike dig into the core of every successful training program: cause and effect.
They break down how dogs learn that what they do actually changes what happens next — and how that belief builds confident, independent, reliable partners.

They get into:

• The science of cause and effect (and why your timing makes or breaks it)
• How reinforcement builds belief — not just obedience
• The difference between fair pressure and confusion
• What “truth in action” really looks like in training
• How handlers accidentally destroy confidence without realizing it

Plus, they dive into real listener questions about tools, aggression, genetics, and the psychology behind modern training — straight from your comments on last week’s episode.

Whether you train pets, police dogs, or sport dogs, this conversation will make you rethink how your dog learns, works, and believes.

Because when dogs understand cause and effect… they stop guessing and start performing.

🐾 Sponsored by Worthless Handler

This episode is powered by Worthless Handler — the lifestyle brand built for real handlers and working-dog people who do the work, not the trend.
 Check them out at worthlesshandler.com
 and tag #worthlesshandler to show you’re part of the crew.

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