Rewards
Reward, Reward, Reward
Reward Reward Reward
Training with Treats!
Say your dog’s name (ONCE), as soon as they look at you no matter how close they are, reward them for looking.
How you deliver treats in training can build value, toss them in the air for your dog to catch, or drop them on the ground for them to sniff out.
The more you reward your dog for looking at you, the more they will begin to look at you in anticipation, I call this a ‘check in’. Bea my Irish Terrier has taken this further and touches my hand or leg with her nose, in effect she is saying “I’m here”, every time she does this, I reward her. Even when I have not said her name.
How many treats does she get? 3 – 5 every time!
Remember richer schedules of reinforcement lead to greater resistance to disruption.
ADOLESCENCE IN DOGS – REWARD, REWARD, REWARD!
ADOLESCENCE IN DOGS – REWARD, REWARD, REWARD!
Adolescents experience strong emotions without always having the brain capacity to regulate them and are very likely to struggle with impulse control, such as when they are not allowed to play with a dog they have seen across the road, or if they do not get as long playing as they expect, or they are behind a closed door.
It is therefore, important to understand and appreciate that during adolescence our dogs are likely to be less tolerant of frustration. Galvan et al. (2006) identified that in the face of getting a less-than-expected reward, the levels of activity in the reward centre of the brain drop below normal levels, meaning it can actually have a punishing effect. This explains why adolescent dogs are more susceptible to frustration-based problems AND we should consistently reward, reward, reward!
They don't have a brain structure that makes controlling their impulses easy. So, what should you do to help your dog through this stage in their life? Consistently, set them up for success, manage situations effectively to prevent them from being exposed to things that may trigger impulsive behaviour.
Summer Time Fun
What will your dog be getting up to this Summer?
Sniff Discover Indicate
Free searching is about trusting and believing in your dog.
No directions control
No leads or lines
Just dogs doing what they are awesome at
Hunting and Predatory Behaviour - Scentwork
Canine Hunting & Predatory Behaviour
Having owned Border Collies, Sighthounds and Terriers, I often get asked why do your dog’s not chase, rabbits, squirrels, cars, skateboards etc?
The herding instinct of the Collies, the digging and hunting instincts of the Terriers, and not forgetting the hunting instincts of the Gundogs, such as Labradors, Spaniels, and Hounds.
The predatory instinct has been preserved to some extent in all dogs and has been cultivated and refined in certain breeds. Breeds most well known for having high prey drive are contained within the herding breeds, such as the Border Collie. Predatory behaviour includes the stalk to the crouch, creep to the running and nipping.
The working behaviour of gun dog breeds varies from breed to breed depending on what they were originally bred for. Pointers sniff out and point toward game, Retrievers find, and retrieve shot or injured prey with their "soft mouths”, and Spaniels locate and then leap, or spring, to flush out quarry.
There are certain influencing factors, these include:
• Breed tendency. Some breeds are more highly motivated to chase prey than others.
• Experience. Success is a potent reward and will instil lasting memories.
• Opportunity. The freedom to act and a prey-containing environment.
• Motivation. That aspect of internal processing that propels an animal into action.
• Social facilitation. The presence or absence of other dogs.
When working and searching, dogs use different senses they possess. Olfaction (sense of smell) is extremely important, with our dogs having a sense of smell, 100 times more sensitive than our own. Movement of the prey triggers, sight (vision) and a well-strategized and well- choreographed chase. Instincts are in the main pleasurable, therefore, usage strengthens and improves these actions.
Instinct is genetic. Instinct is not something you can teach. Instinct can be strengthened, it can also be slightly diluted, channelled or redirected, but it
New Puppy
New Puppy?
This online course is aimed at owners with new puppies and those about to collect their puppy.
Start off on the right paw!
Reward based training for the whole family
MONDAY 5th JUNE
6pm till 8pm
Email [email protected]
Reactive Dog part 2
UNDERSTANDING - Part 2
• Your reactive dog is having a hard time.
• A reactive dog needs patience and understanding.
• Short cuts never work.
• Work out why they feel the need to react.
• Look around to see what may have triggered their behaviour.
• Think! Are they different on lead to off lead?
• What’s been happening throughout their day? (Trigger Stacking)
• Is your response counterproductive?
• Ignore people who do not understand this complex situation.
• Identify the issue, work with it or around it.
• Take the pressure off your dog and you.
I can help devise a plan of action for you to help your dog learn that they don’t need to react to triggers and support you both to become more confident in presently challenging situations.
Reactive Dog Part 1
Understanding the Reactive Dog - Part 1
It can be a big challenge to live with a reactive dog who is struggling with triggers on walks.
MISUNDERSTANDING!
Your rescue must have been abused?
A lot of people assume their reactive rescue dog must have been abused if they are nervous, and jumpy. Whereas it’s more likely that the dog’s reactivity was the reason for surrender.
The foundations for their reactivity could be the result of a bad experience, or simply poor genetics, or sometimes there is no obvious reason.
It’s important not to dwell on a rescue dogs past. Instead focus on their future and how you can work together as a team.
Your dog is protecting you?
Dogs are masters of self-preservation. They tend to react to help themselves rather than to help you. Your dog is more concerned about themselves.
Your dog needs socialisation?
Reactive dogs who are anxious and fearful do NOT need to be “socialised”.
The worst thing you can do is take them on “group walks” or join a dog day care.
These will flood your dog and make the issue much worse.
A dog who develops reactivity issues needs careful and considerate exposure to boost positive experiences.
How did you come to choose your dog's name?
So, how do we teach Wait?
Start at home where your dog is more likely to succeed. Decide if your dog would be more successful starting in a sit, stand or down position.
Take a few steps away, then instantly, return to them and lavishly reward the wait, building value in waiting. Gradually, increase the duration.
Once the duration of the wait is solid, progress to gradually increasing the distance.
If they move, you simply haven't built enough value to motivate the dog to remain where they started. They didn't get it wrong; you did.
When duration and distance are achieved, progress to different environments. Remember, set your dog up for success so initially quieter places, gradually increasing distractions.
When my dogs don't succeed, it's usually because I’ve expected too much too soon.
🐾Duration
🐾Distance
🐾Delivery of reward
🐾Different environment (Distractions)
If this happens, I reflect on what I need to change, go back and build on that
Remember, you are building value in waiting by rewarding in the location you want them to remain in. Delivery of reward is key 😉
Carrie's Clever Canine's Dog Walking Harness
Designed for dogs who don't like having something go over their head.
Easily adjustable around the neck and chest
Padded, breathable material
Front and back D ring
Birthday Bake Off
Which pawsome homemade Barkday Cake would your dog choose.
Made from Chicken Liver and rice flour
Helping your Dog cope with #fireworks
#dog #doglover #puppy
Training with Treats! 🧀🍗
Say your dog’s name (ONCE), as soon as they look at you no matter how close they are, reward them for looking.
How you deliver treats in training can build value, toss them in the air for your dog to catch, or drop them on the ground for them to sniff out.
The more you reward your dog for looking at you, the more they will begin to look at you in anticipation, I call this a ‘check in’. Bea my Irish Terrier has taken this further and touches my hand or leg with her nose, in effect she is saying “I’m here”, every time she does this, I reward her. Even when I have not said her name.
How many treats does she get? 3 – 5 every time!
Remember richer schedules of reinforcement lead to greater resistance to disruption.
