Day TWELVE-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

The next step with training once you have observed a behavior is to mark & reinforce it. With Clicker training we use something called a “clicker” to “mark” the behavior. Marking a behavior means signaling to the animal that we liked that behavior. Signaling to the learner that we liked the behavior can also be done via a verbal marker, like a special word (for example, “Yessss” or “Gooooood”).

The way that this works is that we watch for the behavior that we are seeking. Then we “mark” that behavior by clicking our clicker or using our verbal marker (“yessss”) the very second that the behavior occurs. Finally, we reinforce that behavior by offering something that the learner finds worth while to work for!

ACTION: Try asking your dog to make eye contact with you. This is done by saying your pup’s name. When their eyes meet yours quickly say “Yessssss!” & offer them something that they enjoy!

Day ELEVEN-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

One of the first steps in training, & a very important one that is sometimes overlooked, is observation. Until you can watch & see exactly what is happening it is difficult to impossible to properly craft a training plan.

If you would like to teach something new, one of the ways that you can do so is by watching for your dog to do just that thing. For example, dogs often naturally sit down. If you would like them to sit when asked, you can watch for them to sit & then do what we call “mark & reinforce” that behavior. Marking means pinpointing the exact behavior that we liked, usually with some type of verbal or visual signal. Reinforcing means providing something that the learner finds of value (like a bit of delish food or a belly rub or high value reward). But, again, it all begins with observation!

ACTION: Watch your dog. See if you can make a list of at least 5 behaviors that your dog does naturally (like sitting or even tilting their head) that you like!

Day TEN-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

The second important aspect of working with a learner is patience. Often folks are quick to expect instant results when communication might take a moment. In the case of animals, we are communicating via a different language & as such need to remember to allow some time for our learner to figure things out.

You mean they don’t understand English (or Spanish, or French, or Japanese)? Some might say, “I’m sure MY dog knows exactly what I’m saying. When I tell Fido to “come” and he runs away he is just being stubborn.” Dogs & most animals are keen observers of body language. Quite often we are communicating volumes of data without even saying a word.

Hence, it is important to remember that repeating the same thing over & over without the result you are seeking isn’t productive. Instead, asking once & waiting to see what happens may yield surprising results! Repetition builds confidence & that strengthens behavior!

ACTION: Try asking your dog for “eye contact.” Say their name & then wait. If they turn to you or look at you, reinforce (a pat, “good boy,” bit of something yummy) that behavior! Repeat 🙂