Have you ever wondered how to fix your dog’s unwanted behavior when you want to train with positive reinforcement? In episode 256, I covered the magic question, "What was that cookie for?" that helps us all understand how we may be contributing to the behaviors of our dogs that we want to change. So, I’m following up with my top tips on turning things around. The very good news is that the formula I use to get everything back on track is easy to apply to any inadvertent behavior problem you'd like to change.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- How unintentional reinforcement contributes to unwanted behaviors.
- Why our awareness is the start of fixing unwanted behaviors.
- That permission, access and what your dog loves are powerful reinforcements.
- Real life examples showing what the cookie was for!
- Why to check with your Vet before assuming a behavioral problem.
- Three ways dogs get educated.
- How using the ‘Training Triage’ keeps dogs safe and what to do next.
- The formula for triaging your dog's behavior.
- The effectiveness of games in dog training.
- The role of play in speeding up the learning process.
- Challenges associated with low intentional learning and high unintentional reinforcement.
- Addressing the belief that reinforcement-based training doesn't work.
- How to join Recallers at a discounted rate.
Recallers:
Write in to us at [email protected] with the subject line “FUD/ Fun University for Dogs” for a very special opportunity to join us in Recallers.
Your Dog’s Pedicure Please Program:
Resources :
- Podcast Episode 256: What Was That Cookie For?! When Positive Reinforcement In Dog Training Goes Wrong
- Podcast Episode 205: The Hidden World Of Reinforcement For Dogs And Why You Need To Know
- YouTube Playlist: Stop Barking Dogs! Why Dogs Bark And Anti-Bark Action Plan With Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 226: Safe Toys For Dogs And Why To Avoid Tennis Balls And Sticks
- Podcast Episode 227: My Foolproof Strategy To Overcoming Dog Training Challenges
- Podcast Episode 253: 7 Ways To Instantly Make Your Dog’s Life Better
- YouTube Playlist: Reinforcement, Permissions and Transfer of Value in Dog Training with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Video: Vet Visits For Dogs: How To Create A Positive Experience For Everyone
- Podcast Episode 218: Puppy Development Stages And Your Dog’s Behavior
- Podcast Episode 254: Why Your Older Puppy Or Dog Is Not House Trained And What To Do About It
- Podcast Episode 26: Pro Dog Training Tips to Get Your Puppy to Sleep All Night
- Podcast Episode 139: Remove Confusion And Build Your Dog’s Confidence With One Simple Dog Training Habit
- YouTube Playlist: Behavior Chains in Dog Training with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing
- Podcast Episode 239: Barking Dogs! How To Help Your Dog Be Quiet And Stop Annoying Barking
- Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?!
- Podcast Episode 24: Distraction Intensity Index: Help For Dogs Who Chase Chipmunks, Bicycles, And Neighbor’s Cats
- YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Video: 5 Tips for Dog Trick Training with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 107: Pedicure Please: 3 Steps To Dog Nail Trimming Or Grooming Success At Home!
- Podcast Episode 228: Navigating Failure In Dog Training: What’s Your Plan B?
- Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation
- YouTube Video: How To Get Your Dog To Listen Outside Off Leash (Step By Step Guide)
- YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 50: Can Your Worst Challenge Make You a Better Dog Trainer?
- Podcast Episode 247: Redefining Expertise In Dog Training And What Counts More Than Years Of Experience
- Podcast Episode 99: When Reinforcement Based Dog Training Doesn’t Work
- Podcast Episode 146: Balanced Dog Training: Does It Really Exist?
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
I had a rescue who was very timid, a sweet choc lab who had been chained in a yard for the first 18 months of her life. With lots of love and time together she grew confidence in herself and trust in us. She was terrified of going to the vet who always gave her lots of cookies. That was 20 years ago and I was indifferent to her reinforcing this fear. (Long before I met Susan Garrett online) I asked another vet acquaintance why my vet kept reinforcing this behaviour. Her response was because she wanted the dog to see her visits as a good thing with the treats. Even back then I knew something didn’t seem right about this. Thank you Susan for explaining my confusion from back then. I’m glad your training and my assumption was correct even though I didn’t understand why, and now I know. Giving a human a candy might help them feel better but doesn’t solve the real problem, giving a dog a treat reinforces the behaviour. I’m new to Dogs That, only my first week so I hope I fully understand this so far.
I have a lovely 3yo male Doberman. He is smart and loving. I started him in a puppy class. He understood everything so much faster than the other puppies that he started acting out while we waited for the instructors to help all the puppies: laying down and army crawling and eating grass. I only knew how to tug on his collar to try to get him to behave. I then tried positive reinforcement with a very talented trainer in our area. He was so smart that we progressed way too fast and he started shutting down: doing zoomies, not coming back to me, and not wanting to repeat the task that he did perfectly the first time. I did NOT have the mechanics in place to give him good information. He finished his AKC conformation championship in 3 shows: he understood the deal and had no interest in the other dogs in a very crowded ring. He is now 85 lbs and his interest in other dogs trumps his interest in doing something with me. I have decided to start over and try to use Susan’s methods to try and have this dog enjoy his sessions of training instead of doing it but shutting down.