Videos Don’t Lie: A Simple Fix That Changes Everything

Hey there. I’m Pat Burns, and I want to talk to you about a lesson I learned a long time ago—one that still holds up, no matter how long you’ve been training dogs.

One of my early mentors, Rex Carr, used to say,

“The first step in excelling is taking our errors out of the equation.”

That stuck with me.

And today, I want to pass along something that’s often overlooked: the importance of learning how to point your dog straight.

🎥 Watch the video below as I walk through how I practice this and how you can use your phone to become a better handler.

I’m talking spine, head, eyes, and attitude—all in alignment. Because when you line up incorrectly, your dog learns crooked. And before you know it, you’re out there fixing problems you accidentally taught.

It’s Not Just Dog Training—It’s Mechanics

Think about throwing a baseball. Or shooting a basketball. Or lining up a golf shot. You’re not “aiming” the same way you would a rifle. You’re relying on mechanics, muscle memory, and repetition. It’s the same thing with dogs.

If you consistently point your dog with intention—straight, steady, and clear—they’ll start taking great lines. If you’re off a few degrees, so are they.

The ability to point a dog straight is one of the hardest things you’ll ever master. That’s not an exaggeration. But here’s a tip to help you improve…

Use Your Phone to Coach Yourself

One of the best tools you’ve already got? Your phone. Set it up behind you during a session and hit record.

When you review that footage later, you’ll see what your dog sees:

• Are you square?

• Are you leaning?

• Are your hands clear?

• Is your body language steady and confident?

It’s like watching game film—it’s how athletes refine their skills, and we should be no different.

Simple. Silly. Effective.

Here’s the part that sounds almost too simple:

Your dog learns to go where they’re pointed—only if you consistently point them where you want them to go.

It sounds silly, but it’s true. You can’t expect straight lines if your send-off is crooked.

So do yourself (and your dog) a favor:

📹 Film your sessions. Watch them. Adjust. Repeat.

Let’s keep taking our own errors out of the equation.

See you next time,

Pat