Subtleties

sub·tle·ty

noun \ˈsə-t^əl-tē\

: the quality or state of being subtle

: a small detail that is usually important but not obvious

Ahhhhhhh- the essence of dog training and so much more! It does not really make a difference what profession that one is in. You can be a Scientist or a garbageman. A bus driver or a ballplayer. Subtleties make the difference between  average and a true artist in ones profession.  In  dog training they make all the difference. 

There are many examples to give but if you start to look for them you will start to notice many. For instance. One is walking a dog over a walkover and the dog is not used to it. Handler A takes his dog up- dog stops-he encourages the dog vocally and steps away from the dog a little- the dog follows. 

Handler B takes his dog up- dog stops- he encourages the dog vocally - the dog does not move. 

What was the difference? Why did dog A go forward but dog B stay? 

Handler A walked away just a little which propelled the dog to follow him. 

Handler B stood there- dog b was okay with just standing there too. 

Subtlety- 

The definition above says it well- " a small detail that is usually important but not obvious." 

Small details. 

Lets modify that definition a little- " a small detail that is usually important but not obvious to the handler."  The dog reacts to these subtleties whether you are aware of them or not. 

Start looking for them- start doing them- watch the difference in your dogs behavior.