This post originally appeared on the website of our Master Trainer, Nick Miller. For more of Nick’s daily training insights, visit nicktmiller.com

I’m going to oversimplify puppy training for you right now. Ready?

Show your puppy that you’ve got something more interesting!

Your puppy won’t walk, or gets wildly distracted, on the leash? First of all, let me welcome you to raising a puppy!

But, also, let’s think about how to show your puppy how interesting you are!

1) Walk all the way to the end of the leash (distance does make the heart grow fonder).
2) Crouch down.
3) Give him the side (or back) of your body.
4) Use that squeaky toy you’ve got in your pocket (you’ve got that squeaky toy in your pocket, right?), or make those kissy noises with your high pitched voice (best practiced in your bedroom with the blinds drawn at first).
5) As your puppy comes running to your side (“good dog, good dog, good dog, good dog”), slip him a little treat. Not just any treat, that high value treat you’re only using for walks. That really interesting one. It could be food, a game, or some other activity.
6) Stand up with that interesting “let’s go” attitude and continue along your way!

Even a puppy who is nervous outside will benefit from you making yourself more interesting. It can help to wash away their fears.

Your puppy is chewing on everything inside? Are you sure you’ve given him an interesting enough alternative? Are you watching him whenever he’s outside of his crate in order to redirect him with something more …

(You know what I’m going to say)

As puppies soak up the information of the world around them they flock to the experiences, dogs and people they find the most interesting. Make yourself that thing and you’ll be set up for whatever you want to train your puppy to do.

Because who doesn’t want to be with the most interesting person they know?