Impulse Control: The Hidden Superpower to Teach your Dog

Jody Harrington
2 days ago
3 min read

One of the most valuable skills you can teach your dog is impulse control – the ability to wait, hold back, or pause before acting.

Why is impulse control important?

Impulse control is what helps your dog walk calmly past another dog instead of lunging. It’s what helps them wait at the front door instead of bolting out. It even helps them relax when guests come over or leave your sandwich alone on the coffee table.

When dogs learn to manage their impulses, they:

Feel calmer and more in control of themselves
Make better choices in exciting or frustrating situations
Can safely enjoy more freedom and real-life experiences
Are less likely to feel overwhelmed or reactive

And for us humans? It makes life together more peaceful and predictable in the best possible way.

How do we teach it?

We build impulse control gradually, using kind, simple exercises that make sense to your dog. We always use positive, force-free methods so your dog learns to make good choices because they want to, not because they’re afraid not to.

Here’s how:

1. Start with Simple, Rewardable Choices

Set up situations where your dog can succeed and where they get something good for pausing or waiting. For example:

Hold a treat in a closed fist. When your dog backs off or stops trying to snatch it - praise ("yes!") and reward.
Toss one treat, then ask for eye contact before tossing the next. You’re building a pattern: wait = good stuff.

2. Practice “Wait” in Daily Routines

Teach “wait” around things your dog really wants – meals, walks, getting out of the car, greeting people, or running into the yard.

At mealtime, ask for a short wait before placing the bowl down.
At the front door, cue a sit or pause before saying "okay!" to go through.

Don’t expect long waits at first – we’re building a muscle, not testing patience.

3. Use the Environment as a Reward

Impulse control doesn’t mean saying “no” all day. It means learning that good things come when we pause.

Want to sniff a tree on a walk? Pause and check in = “Go sniff!”
Want to say hi to a person? Wait calmly = “Say hello!”

This turns self-control into something your dog chooses, not just something we “make” them do.

4. Teach “Leave It” with Real-Life Stuff

Dogs need to learn to leave more than just food. Practice with:

Food on the ground
Toys you’ve dropped
Another dog’s ball at the park
Your socks or shoes

Start at home where it’s easy, then work up to harder distractions in the real world.

5. Play Control-Based Games

Games are one of the best ways to teach impulse control without pressure:

Treat Toss Recall: Toss a treat, then call your dog back before they get it. Reward when they return, and then release them to get the treat.
1-2-3 Treat Game: Walk and count out loud. On “3” you give a treat – but only if they stay beside you. Builds walking focus and self-regulation.
Middle Game: Dog stands between your legs (safe spot) while the world goes by. Calm = reward.

6. Use a Mat or Station

Teaching your dog to go to a mat or stay in a station builds impulse control beautifully:

Dinner prep time? “Go to your mat.”
Visitors arrive? “Hop on your bed.”
Kids playing? Your dog has a calm place to be.

We reward for staying, relaxing, and choosing not to jump in.

7. Layer in Distractions Over Time

Start in quiet, boring environments. Once your dog is rocking it at home, start adding little distractions:

Movement
Sounds
New places
Other dogs at a distance

Always set them up to succeed – we want them to feel good while learning.

8. Reward for the Calm, Not Just the Crazy

Most dogs get attention when they’re excited – but calm behaviours often go unnoticed. Flip that!

Quietly drop a treat when your dog lies down during a conversation.
Praise your dog for sitting when guests arrive (even if they sat for just 2 seconds).
Catch the “good stuff” – reinforce the pause, the choice to disengage, or the slow response.

9. Stay Consistent – Even on Off Days

Impulse control grows with repetition. You don’t need marathon sessions – just a few minutes here and there:

Before meals
On walks
During TV time
Waiting in the car

If you’re consistent, your dog’s impulse control will slowly but surely become second nature.

Impulse control is one of those skills that makes everything else easier. It’s not about stopping your dog from being a dog – it’s about helping them feel better and choose better in the moments that matter to ensure a more harmonious life for you both.