There is something very satisfying about finishing a job. No matter how big or how small, there is always that sense of accomplishment when we step back and admire our work. It can be that way with our dogs. There is nothing quite like that sense of accomplishment when we ask our dog for a behaviour and they do it just the way we taught them. It’s a great feeling that lasts as long as, well, until the next time we signal them and they don’t respond as quickly or as perfectly as before.
In moments like that it’s tempting to struggle for answers. Most often I see people shaking their head at their dog. What’s wrong with them? They KNOW how to do this. Why are they not responding like they did before? Well, the simple answer might be that our dogs are not machines. We can’t expect to program them like computers and expect that they will respond the same way every single time we ask for a behaviour.
While our dogs aren’t machines, there are some things we can do to increase our chances of success. For me, the single most important thing I can work on with my dog is motivation. Is there a good reason that my dog should WANT to respond when I ask him for a behaviour? Behaviourist BF Skinner once said that “consequence dictates behaviour.” That is, what ever happened after the last time my dog did the behaviour will influence what he does when I ask him for it again.
I use rewards when I’m teaching my dog a new behaviour. I try to balance the stress and difficulty of working out what needs to be done with the rewards I give him for trying to figure it out. And once we get all of the learning done and the new behaviour becomes old hat, I get to sit back and admire a job well done. This is the place where I can be my own worst enemy.
You see, it’s easy to stop the rewards and become casual about asking my dog for that behaviour he has done hundreds of times. After all, he knows what he’s supposed to do. I shouldn’t have to carry food around with me constantly to get him to perform. But what about Skinner? Sure, my dog will have some good memories of great rewards for learning this behaviour. But when was the last time I paid him for his efforts in doing this easy behaviour he knows by heart?
I have found in my own training with my dogs that going back to frequently rewarding my dog for even well known behaviours can sharpen up their performance and interest in working with me. While it’s true that well known behaviours are somewhat rewarding in and of themselves, we lose nothing by adding some yummy food rewards back into the mix from time to time. Call it a reminder that we appreciate our dog for continuing to work with us. A “Thank You” for being the awesome dog we helped train them to be.
Don’t be too proud that you don’t need food when working with your dog. You might find that bringing back the goodies from time to time can make a good dog awesome!
Eric
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