If you’ve ever watched your dog rocket through a doorway, snatch treats like a crocodile, or lose their mind when the doorbell rings, you already know: impulse control is a skill—and most dogs need help developing it.

Good news: it doesn’t have to be complicated. This 10-day impulse-control challenge walks you through short, actionable exercises you can do at home with minimal equipment. Each day builds on the last, helping your dog think before reacting, make better choices, and stay calmer in exciting situations.

Let’s begin!

Day 1: Name Recognition Reset

Goal: Teach your dog that their name means “pause and check in.” How: Say your dog’s name once. When they look at you, reward with a treat. If they don’t respond, make a noise after a pause, then reward once they look. Why it helps: A strong check-in cue helps your dog break focus and reset their brain.

Day 2: Wait for the Bowl

Goal: Teach patience around food. How: Lower the food bowl. If your dog dives toward it, lift it back up. When they wait (even for one second!), place the bowl down and release with “Break.” Why it helps: Builds a calm default around high-value items.

Day 3: Doorway Manners

Goal: Prevent bolting. How: Approach a door. Ask for a sit. Begin to open it. If your dog pops up, close the door. When they stay seated, open fully and release. Why it helps: Reinforces that calmness makes freedom happen.

Day 4: Leave It (Beginner Level)

Goal: Stop grabbing food or objects. How: Place a treat in your closed fist. When your dog stops trying to get it—looks away, backs up—mark and reward with a different treat. Why it helps: Teaches your dog that ignoring temptation leads to rewards.

Day 5: Place Training

Goal: Create a “calm-down spot.” How: Lure your dog onto a mat or bed, then reward. Add duration: 5 seconds, then 10, then 20. Why it helps: Gives your dog a reliable station where calm behavior is expected.

Day 6: Controlled Greetings

Goal: Reduce jumping and frenzy when meeting people. How: Ask your dog to sit before greeting. If they stand or jump, the person steps away. When they sit, greeting happens. Why it helps: Your dog learns calm behavior gets attention.

Day 7: Engagement 

Goal: Teach your dog to look back at you when something interesting appears. How: Outside, reward any voluntary glance toward you—no cue needed. Why it helps: Builds natural attention in distracting environments.

Day 8: Leave It (Advanced Level)

Goal: Strengthen impulse control in real-world scenarios. How: Place a treat on the floor covered by your hand. When your dog ignores it, uncover. If they still leave it alone, reward with a better treat from your pocket. Why it helps: Teaches your dog to resist open temptations.

Day 9: Calm Release Game

Goal: Teach your dog to wait for permission before doing exciting activities. How: Ask for a sit before releasing your dog for fetch, tug, outdoors, or greeting. Only release when they’re calm for 2–3 seconds. Why it helps: Your dog learns that self-control leads to fun.

Day 10: Place Training ( advanced) 

Goal: To utilize place under heavy distractions with minimal help. 

How: Generalizing place command by throwing treats, toys or moving around excitedly. If dog breaks command, simply guide back with your leash, if he stays on, reward!

Why it helps: Advanced Place turns that foundation into a powerful impulse-control behavior your dog can use in real life—during guests arriving, mealtimes, delivery drivers, cooking, or high-distraction environments.

Putting It All Together

By the end of these 10 days, you’ll notice a shift:

• Your dog checks in more often

• They react less impulsively

• Daily routines feel smoother

• Chaos moments become manageable

Impulse control isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Keep sessions short (1–3 minutes), keep rewards frequent, and celebrate each small win.