Play-Based Dog Training: Why Your Dog's Joy Becomes Your Confidence with Marc Windgassen

Play-based dog training might sound like it's just for puppies, but Marc Windgassen has spent over 30 years proving otherwise — from hunting dogs carrying raw eggs without breaking them, to reactive dogs learning to see other dogs as background noise. In this conversation, he walks us through why play, not treats, becomes the most sustainable way to teach your dog what matters, and how understanding the "why" behind any method is what keeps it working long after the trainer leaves. Prefer video? Watch on youtube. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why your dog might not play tug (even though every dog is wired to chase, catch and hold), and how to build that drive back without pressure or proximity stress How to use a game of tug to redirect a reactive dog in real-world environments — and why it works faster than trying to suppress the behaviour What happens in your dog's brain when you replace an old neural pathway (like lunging at cats) with a new one (like looking for the toy), and why consistency matters more than perfection Why teaching your dog the "why" behind a cue — not just the action — helps you adapt when life doesn't follow the script How to keep an older dog physically and mentally sharp through play, and why those small stabilizing muscles matter more than you think What it looks like to train online without losing influence — and why having the owner hold the leash from day one creates more lasting change How to create an invisible boundary in your kitchen (or anywhere else) using spatial pressure, so your dog stays safe and your mobility stays intact A FAVOURITE MOMENT "If your neighbors think you've gone mental, you're doing it correctly." — Marc ABOUT MARC WINDGASSEN Marc Windgassen is a German dog trainer with over 30 years of experience across multiple countries and disciplines. He specializes in online training and believes that explaining the "why" behind every method is what makes change stick. Marc is the founder of Dog Point, where he works with dog owners internationally to solve behaviour challenges and build confidence through understanding, not compliance. CONNECT WITH MARC WINDGASSEN Website: dogpoint.pet Instagram: @dogpoint.usa TikTok: @dogpointusa Facebook: dogpoint LinkedIn: Marc Windgassen Newsletter: The Dogpoint Newsletter CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co - the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.