12/19/2024
Respost from 2019
Is your relationship with your dog transactional?
Does your dog only pay attention to you when you have treats? Do you feel like a treat dispenser, completely lost without your trusty treat pouch?
Do you find yourself relying on food to distract your dog from things they want, or to “convince” them to like something they don’t? Are you focusing only on “getting the right behaviors” rather than building a deeper connection?
Here’s the thing: using food in training isn’t bad—it’s a powerful tool! But if it becomes the only tool, it might actually hinder the relationship you’re trying to build.
You see, there’s a huge difference between simply reinforcing behaviors with food and training in a way that strengthens trust, cooperation, and communication.
The key to a better relationship with your dog?
Shift the focus from fixing behaviors to creating clarity, connection, and authority—all built on the foundation of play.
Most problem behaviors are symptoms of a breakdown in your relationship and communication. And while treats may temporarily “fix” things, they don’t address the root of the problem.
So how do you build a solid, cooperative relationship?
By tapping into your dog’s natural instincts and engaging them in collaborative, cooperative play.
Play isn’t just about having fun—it’s about teaching boundaries, rules, and criteria. Through games like chase-and-catch or possession games, you build trust, confidence, and communication. And guess what? True communication is rooted in obedience.
Without obedience, there’s no teamwork. Without teamwork, there’s no trust.
Functional obedience doesn’t mean suppressing your dog or micromanaging every move they make. It means creating clarity and setting the stage for a partnership where your dog wants to work with you, listens enthusiastically, and thrives—even in the face of distractions.
A strong relationship is not transactional; it’s collaborative and cooperative. And it starts with intentional training, play, and understanding your dog on a deeper level.
