You know that guy in your town who walks his dog at a perfect heel? Every intersection the dog sits at a heel and looks up into her owner’s face, waiting patient and calm? Chances are that guy didn’t do all that much work to get there, but was consistent with a few small daily behaviors over time.

The best trainers aren’t fixing bad behavior in a few minutes like The Dog Whisperer. They’re recognizing tiny changes in the dogs’ reaction and crafting good behavior slowly. It’s more like woodworking than construction- shave a little here, reinforce a little there.

Here are two quick changes you can make to your daily routine to craft that patient, attentive character in your own pet.

1. Stop Free Feeding

Get a large treat pouch. I recommend the Petsafe Training Pouch. These pouches have a hinge that you can snap open so your treats are easily accessible. They are a little flimsy and you may need to replace it every 6 months to a year, but for my money they are the most convenient pouches I have found. Wear the pouch around the house and out on your walk. Treat your dog when they’re being calm and doing absolutely nothing. Training isn’t always about correction and commands- sometimes it’s all about recognizing the quiet moments that you wouldn’t ordinarily notice.

Another good trick is “Restaurant Manners.” When your dog is lying down, drop treats in front of their nose when they can’t tell who is giving them a treat. They will learn that treats magically appear when they are lying quietly.

Lastly, treat for eye contact. Every time your dog is looking into your baby blues, say “yes” and give a treat. Give larger rewards for more sustained eye contact

2. Walk Aimlessly

Most of us establish a regular neighborhood route for our daily walks. Instead, find a field or a cul de sac. Hold the end of your leash and wander aimlessly around the space. When there is no direction Forward, your dog will learn not to obsess about being in front. Every time your dog is parallel to your knees, make a turn. Vary the angle of the turn and the speed of your walk.

Pro-Tip:

If you’re really committed to training your dog to walk on a loose leash, or even walk behind you, get yourself a 30 foot long line. My favorite leashes in the world are Leerburg Biothane leashes, but any old piece of rope will do.

Hold one end of the leash and really let the dog wander as long as they are behind you. As soon as they are in front of you, turn and walk in another direction.

Do this every day for half an hour instead of your regular neighborhood walk. Shorten the leash by 1 foot every day, either by tying a knot in your line or marking it with a sharpie. In a few weeks your dog should be walking at a nice heel even on your standard 6 foot leash.