October 25th, 2010
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We humans tend to focus on the negative, rather than the positive. Instead of falling into
this trap, put on rose-colored glasses when you look at your dog. In other words, make a concerted effort to focus on the 999 times your dog does the right thing, instead of the one time your dog does the wrong thing. Focusing on, and rewarding, behavior you like can quickly transform your dog’s behavior, especially if you also work on ignoring behavior you don’t like, rather than rewarding it with attention. (This works well with co-workers and family members, too, by the way.) Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a company offering pet-friendly training services to clients in Los Angeles. |
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I so agree! But of course, my dog IS my rose colored glasses.
I agree totaly on this. i am in the process of obtaining a service dog. This is one of the most important things you learn. Treating your dog when they have done what you ask them too.
I think of it this way, if you have a child or know a child. The first thing you try to teach them is to behave. No child would do it on command unless they were rewarded.
Same thing with a dog. If they are tought that the behavior is correct by getting a treat and doing it everytime they will do as you ask. They need to know this if you want them to respond on command.
I’ve been trying it on my dog now from what I’ve been learning in the class and it really works! i’ve learned ‘leave it, do business, and go to bed.’ If you have your dog in bed with you and I was doing the same thing, you will find they respect you a lot more. With a service dog its very important as you want them to do something right then and there.
As well as when you say something over and over again. I’ve watched my dog and I’m trying to correct this. But dogs have a since and will count every time I’ve told her to do something then she literally sits there counting. I didn’t think of it at first but I kept watching and learned they were exactly right on this theory.
Just some bones for thought!
Helen and Raja: I love your comment! How wonderful that you feel that way about your dog.
Christine: One of my upcoming tips happens to be about saying cues only once (I think it will be posted on Wednesday, but the webmaster does the actual posting, so I’m not sure). Anyway, it sounds like you are learning good things. Keep up the good work!