The perfect dog

You know those days when your dog responds as soon as you call him, lays on his bed while you eat a meal, joins you on a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, hangs out in the sunshine while the kids run around the yard, lays at your feet when you work, and cuddles up with you on the couch at the end of the day? 

​Virtually raise your hand if you often have those days!

...

   ...Cue the crickets...

---

Yea, me either. No, really. And here's why.
​
Training your dog isn't about hitting a button and getting an auto-response. Training your dog is about teaching. It's about teaching them your expectations, teaching them to trust, teaching them how to respond to a cue, teaching them how to play appropriately, teaching them how to take some down time, teaching them how to handle their emotions. 

One of the questions I hear most often is ...

My dog knows how to BLANK (insert the important skill) so why doesn't he listen? Why does he keep ignoring me? Do I have to use treats forever to get him to do what I want?

Look. Training isn't about treats.

It's not about bribes. It's about reinforcement. Everyone needs reinforcement to continue moving forward towards a goal. There's external reinforcement and there's internal reinforcement. Some people are internally reinforced. They get satisfaction in the completion of a task. They feel good when they hit a goal. They feed off that internal feel-good state. Other people prefer the external reinforcement. They want the praise. They want the pay. They want the pat on the back. 

​If your dog has a choice between chasing the squirrel across the street and listening to you when you call him, and he chooses you... can you feel the internal reinforcement there? Who did the work to get your dog to that point?
Doesn't it feel good to know that YOU did that? ​That you taught your dog that listening to you is worth it, that it could save his life?

---

When your dog doesn't listen, what emotions do you feel? Agitated? Frustrated? Confused? Overwhelmed? 
​Well, my friend, dogs feel those emotions too.

When someone doesn't respond in a way they're trying to communicate, when their distance-seeking signals don't work, they get agitated.

When they can't access what they want, they get frustrated

When they don't understand what you want, they feel confused

When there is too much stimulation coming their way, they feel overwhelmed

So, instead of going into an emotional rabbit hole, I want to offer you a rope, a ladder, a way to find your way out. 

Teaching is about being pro-active. You need to teach the life skills you want your dog to be able to use going forward. You need to teach attention on you, frustration tolerance, communication. And to do that, you need to use reinforcement. What reinforces your dog? What drives him and how can you manipulate his access to that so it can be used as a reinforcer?

Join my 5 day challenge to Get Your dog To Stop Ignoring You

Join the 5 Day Challenge

Get your dog to stop ignoring you!

You're in!

Check your email for all the important details!