We are TOLO, your Puppyhood Trainer and we believe a great dog starts with a great puppyhood. And at the heart of that puppyhood is one goal: building a loving, trusting relationship between a puppy and their parent.
Science has shown that Positive Reinforcement is the most effective way to modify behavior and build a lasting powerful connection. And yet, many puppy parents I work with find themselves stuck in a loop of correction: constantly saying “no,” chasing distractions, and feeling more like referees than role models.
The missing piece? Motivation.
If your puppy is more interested in the world around them than in you, you’re not training—you’re competing. But when you Manufacture Motivation, you shift that balance. You stop being a background figure and become the most exciting, rewarding part of your puppy’s world.
And that, more than any behavior fix, is what this is all about: building a relationship they’ll never forget.
Let me show you what that looked like with my girl, Kuzi.
Step One: Find Your Puppy’s Primary Motivator
When I brought Kuzi home, I entered what we at TOLO call the Cuddle Phase—a crucial window where the foundation for lifelong trust is built. Her job? Answer the questions that shape who she is. My job? Create a safe environment for her to have fun learning who she is so she can build confidence by discovering the world with me by her side.
That meant playing as many games as possible, introducing her to new sights, sounds, and smells, and paying attention to what made her light up.
And it didn’t take long to discover it: Kuzi’s favorite thing in the world was Chase. She loved to be chased, to chase me, to chase other pups. This wasn’t just fun—it was connection. It was our thing.
That was her Primary Motivator—and the beginning of Manufacturing Motivation.
Step Two: Transfer That Motivation to a Specific Item
I began using one special toy—always kept out of reach—to play our daily chase game. Every time I reached for it, Kuzi’s eyes lit up. It became more than a toy. It became a symbol of fun, affection, and quality time with her favorite person.
When I incorporated it into training sessions, everything changed.
We’d run through our known commands. She’d get small treat rewards for each one—but at the end came the moment she was waiting for: the wild, joyful, full-of-love game of Chase.
This wasn’t just training. It was memory-making.
And that toy became the bridge between obedience and affection—between behavior and bonding.
Step Three: Condition Behavior, Build Relationship
Of course, the behavior changes were real. Without the Chase Toy, leash training was a distraction nightmare. I’d spend 75% of my energy correcting her as she followed her nose or got overwhelmed by sights and sounds.
But with the Chase Toy?
Everything shifted.
She was focused, motivated, and driven to earn that ultimate reward. I was able to reward good behavior 90% of the time and correct only 10%. She wasn’t just learning commands—she was learning to trust that good decisions lead to joy.
And in the process, we were becoming a team.
Step Four: Build Lasting Memories
Now that Kuzi is a year old, she’s shaped into the incredible dog I always dreamed of. She knows every command I need, she’s outstanding off-leash, and she’s my partner in everything. Not just because she’s trained—but because she wants to stay close to me.
And that’s the point.
Positive Reinforcement isn’t just about creating well-behaved dogs. It’s about creating strong, trusting relationships.
By manufacturing motivation—by finding the thing she loved most and tying it to me—I gave Kuzi a reason to choose connection over chaos. Every day, every training session, every reward became an opportunity to say:
“I see you. I love who you are. And I’m your safe place in this big, exciting world.”
Final Thoughts
At TOLO, we say They Only Live Once—because we know puppyhood is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape not just a dog’s behavior, but their heart.
Yes, Manufacturing Motivation helps you train faster, reward more, and correct less.
But more importantly? It gives you more chances to say “yes.” To build trust. To create joy.
And that’s how great relationships—and great dogs—are made.
Ready to Build a Relationship That Lasts?
At TOLO, our Puppyhood Training is built around one truth: relationships come first. If you’re ready to stop battling distractions and start building connection, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
🐾 Let’s find your puppy’s motivator.
📆 Book a consultation and discover how to make training joyful—for both of you.
💛 Join the TOLO family, and raise a dog who chooses you every time.
[Schedule Your Session Now] (link to booking page)
Because they only live once.
Let’s make every moment count.