"My dogs needed to work for me, simply because I was me; and if they didn't do as I asked, when I asked, they received a correction. Because I was the human."Where is the logic in that you ask? I don't know, and I can't begin to tell you.
Here's the thing, we as humans would be pounding the pavements for another job, if our employers decided they would pay us whatever they felt like it.. when they felt like it.
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Your online pay statement is ready, today you will be paid in pounds of chocolate for your 40 hours of work this week.
Sincerely,
Management"
or
"Your online pay statement is ready, today you will be paid in gift cards to Mo.e's So.uth.west Gri.lle"
Honestly those aren't "bad" prizes at all, but its not what I need or want at the time. Somehow, I think Sp.rint would laugh at me, should I show up in their store with pounds of chocolate, as a way of payment.
Yet, we as humans deem, that our praise, and pets on the head to be sufficient for our dogs. All The time.We ask them to leave things they really like, we ask them to stop behaving like their instinct demands, we ask them to conform to our thoughts and ideas... and then reward them with what WE think they want.
Like us, dogs find different things rewarding, at different times. Its easy for us humans, to only use rewards that are easiest for us to do. With petting and praise, you always have your hands, and mouth with you,so it becomes the go to reward.
However, in truth, the types of rewards we can give our dog, is only limited by their likes and dislikes. Contrary to popular belief, rewards don't have to be food, it can be chasing a ball, going outside, going for a walk, etc..
I had a dog that I baby-sat for, who loved to jump baby-gates. This wasn't at all a "cool" thing for him to do, and I wanted him to sit quietly at them, instead of hopping them. When he [finally!] sat quietly while I was the other side, I let him hop the gate as his reward. He did what I wanted, so I rewarded him with what he wanted.
Would I do that every-time? Of course not, but every once it a while? Sure.
What Does Your Dog Find Rewarding?
Susan Garret, a trainer I really admire, had us list ten things that our dogs found rewarding, starting with the highest valued item.
My oldest dog, is a 12 year old dachshund named Bubbles, she spends most of her time, sleeping, and eating.. what things could she possibly find rewarding? This was pretty difficult, as Bubbles is not a hugely demanding or excitable dog.
Texas, is my other pet dog, at 3 years, he's much more active than Ms. Bubbles and a lot easier to reward.
| Bubbles | Texas |
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