16/11/2025
Yesterday I was teaching my dog a new behaviour to replace a behaviour that is not appropriate, at the side of the agility ring. She is very motivated to join in with motion which leads her to bark and want to join the dog in the ring! This cannot happen!
She wants to work and to be reinforced for it. Her barking at the dogs in the ring is actually self-reinforcing as it increases her own dopamine.
So I teach her tricks while we are waiting for our turn. So far she has learnt Twizzle (stand on back legs and turn like a ballerina 😂 ) and crossing her paws. Yesterday it was the start of some very close heelwork.
She was awesome! She had a job to do that was heavily reinforced with treats, and she forgot about the excitement quite close by. I might even have a semi-reasonable Obedience dog in her one day 😂
Replace a behaviour you don’t like by teaching another one when the undesirable behaviour might happen. A trick if the doorbell rings? Lie down if a visitor come in? It works ♥️
