When a dog learns to stop forward movement, settle its body and wait for information, we begin interrupting the automatic sequence of seeing something, moving toward it and acting. That makes sit useful for greetings, doorways, vehicle exits, food, visitors and any number of situations where the dog's first instinct is to move.

You may see the puppy: Crouch low, Tuck the tail, Roll onto the back, Avoid eye contact, Wiggle with a lowered body, Pee when approached or touched. This is not spite. It is not stubbornness. It is not poor manners. It is an involuntary response from a puppy who does not yet feel secure in that moment.

We love our dogs and our dogs love us. But when there is real misalignment, I often hear things like, “He is being defiant,” “He is spiteful,” or “She knows better.” Humans are wired to make stories. We often put our own traits, frustrations and struggles onto the dog. Sometimes the dog becomes the place where people project the things they dislike in themselves or fear others will judge in them.