You’ve got a superpower that you use every day without thinking about it. It can calm you down, fire you up, or bring focus right when you need it most. It also shapes the way your dog feels and responds to you. This week, Duke walks you through practical breathwork techniques you can use to energize, to calm anxiety, and to create balance — in yourself and in your dog. Whether it’s the 4-2-6 method or simple activation breathing, this episode is a reminder that awareness of your breath is the first step to taking control of your energy. Listen in, try the exercises, and notice how your energy shifts.

Have you ever wanted to learn something new, or train your dog to do something different, or just do something fun like go fishing or hang out with friends—but when the time came, you just didn’t have the energy? Oh, I’ve felt that way. And here’s the kicker… I’m a superhero. Yep, you heard it right. I fight Crohn’s disease, and for me energy is everything. It’s the fuel for my focus, my productivity, and my ability to connect with people and with dogs. Without energy, it’s almost impossible to focus. Without focus, your productivity drops. And when your productivity drops, your energy drains even more. That’s the cycle. But here’s the thing: most people don’t realize how their energy affects not only themselves, but everyone around them. Too little energy? You shut down. Too much energy? You can overwhelm the people—and the dogs—around you. Either way, your energy can be holding you back. So let’s change that today.

Ever felt overwhelmed when training your dog—or yourself? You’re not alone. In this week’s Weekly Recall, Duke breaks down how to take those big, intimidating goals and turn them into small, clear steps called “behavior chains.” You’ll learn: How to create simple step-by-step chains that actually lead to success Why forward chaining and back chaining matter (and which one you should use) How the same training principles that calm your dog at the door can help you build better habits in life 3 powerful reflection questions to set your next breakthrough in motion Grab your journal. Break it down. Build the chain. Because progress doesn’t come from focusing on the finish line—it comes from showing up for the next step.

This week I dig into the three keys that drive real progress in training and life. Timing, consistency, and motivation. Miss one and your results slow down. Dial all three and things click.

Timing
Dogs live in the moment. That is why your mark has to land in the second the right behavior happens. Use a clear marker. I like “good” for duration and “break” as a terminal mark. You can use yes, free, clicker, pizza if you want. What matters is that it is clear and immediate. Think like a photographer pressing the shutter at the peak moment.

Consistency
Short daily sessions beat long irregular workouts. Five minutes, three to five times per day, will outperform an hour once a week. Be consistent with marks and cues. Then add deliberate variety so your dog becomes resilient and does not just run a script.

Motivation
Match the reinforcer to the dog and the environment. Food, toys, affection, sniffing, freedom. If the park is more interesting than kibble, level up the reward or the strategy. A powerful reward can also be a powerful teacher when removed at the wrong behavior. Timing and motivation always work together.

Try this
Pick one behavior. Choose your duration mark and terminal mark. Do three micro-sessions per day for a week. Celebrate each small win. You will feel the momentum build.

In this week’s Recall, I dig into a simple truth that changes everything for you and your dog: behavior is selfish. That is not a bad thing. It is how we are wired. When you understand what truly motivates you and your dog, you can communicate more clearly and turn focus into action through repetition and small daily habits. I share a personal story, break down the four ways dogs communicate, and give you practical prompts to journal, act, and make steady progress.

In this week’s Recall, I dig into why clarity is the first step to progress — for you and your dog. Most owners tell me, “I just want my dog to behave,” but they haven’t defined what that actually means. Without clarity, there’s no direction. I’ll show you how to set a clear vision, create small daily goals, and use consistent communication to make real progress. Grab your journal, write it down, and take the first step toward the life and dog you truly want.