Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Jack and Jill Professional Dog Training, Dog trainer, .
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At Jack and Jill Professional Dog Training, we use effective and ethical training techniques to help dog owners achieve harmonious, enjoyable, stress-free relationships with their beloved dogs.
If you've been thinking about joining, this is the month to do it!
Not only is it the last month to get it at the current price, but 10% of all proceeds from Better Living with Dogs this month will be donated to The Trevor Project and Point of Pride to help more LGBTQ+ people survive and thrive.
Visit https://jackandjilldogtraining.newzenler.com/courses/better-living-with-dogs
I was lucky enough to be voted #1 trainer in Michigan last year thanks to many of you, and I’ve been nominated again this year.
I love that Sniffspot puts this together each year to showcase all the wonderful R+ trainers around the country.
If you’ve appreciated my content or have worked with me, can you spare 30 seconds to vote? The link is in my bio!
Scroll down and choose 💙 Jill Hassevoort 💙
You can vote once per trainer so definitely show some love to the other people you see mentioning this as well!
This beautiful soul is my friend Sam’s best girl, Dottie. She’s currently hospitalized undergoing emergency kidney treatment. Please visit the link in my stories to donate to her care or go to gofund.me/f2286f43
New eBook: Reactive Dog Survival Guide
Is your dog barking or lunging at other dogs or people? Learn quick and effective strategies to address it without the use of punishment, corrections, or intimidation.
🙋 Who needs a copy?
Hit the link in my bio!
I heard this analogy at a conference this past weekend and thought it was so helpful for understanding why we need to take a holistic approach when it comes to helping our reactive dogs. Or, should we say, hole-istic.
Shoutout to for sharing this insightful framing.
Let me know if you agree!
Image descriptions pinned in comments.
If you or anyone you know is welcoming a brand new landshark into your home this year, you're going to want to get in on this.
My friend and colleague, Kelly Fahey, has brought together 25+ top dog experts for the "Your Puppy Blueprint” training series on raising a puppy (and surviving puppyhood). The best part is it’s free!
Raising a puppy isn’t easy and some days can feel overwhelming. Come hang out with me and the other amazing trainers, behavior professionals, and medical experts who will be part of the event, helping you with all of your puppy predicaments. We’ll be talking about:
Your puppy’s sensitive period
Chase behavior
Bitey/mouthy challenges
Recognizing fear- are they really “fine”?
And too many other topics to list
AND… you’ll be hearing from me, talking about my favorite ways to use a least-restrictive, choice-based approach to managing mouthy puppies.
And truthfully, much of this applies to all dogs, not just puppies.
Registration is open now. Event starts 1/16. Click the link in my bio to claim your spot!
Photo Description: a white square graphic with blue and orange waves at the top and bottom. There are two photos - one of Jill standing behind Jack, leaning down, and petting his head with a background of green trees. The other photo is of a white person with shoulder length wavy blonde hair holding a brown puppy that is licking the person's face. The text is in blue and orange and reads: "Your Puppy Blueprint, stop guessing, wondering, and Googling how to have a well-behaved puppy and turn the chaos into calm! Free 14-day Summit featuring 25+ top dog professionals. 16-29 January. Jill Hassevoort Management for Puppy Mouthing. Grab your all-access pass! puppyblueprint.com. Your host: Kelly Fahey"
Better Living with Dogs is now open for enrollment. January sessions start soon!
This founding member rate will not be around forever. 😲
You know where to find the link!
Image description: 2-slide carousel. Each slide has a white background with teal, golden, and maroon circular shapes at the top and bottom right corner. The top also has the title “Better Living with Dogs Membership Program” in teal block letters.
Slide 1: six yellow ovals listing membership benefits: 3 live sessions per month, easy to follow training steps, community discussion space, discounts on services, access to on demand courses, and member-selected topics.”
Learning is lifelong, and the list of things you want to work on with your dog feels ever-growing.
Better Living with Dogs is designed for dog guardians who want to feel confident that they’re on the best path toward the life they imagined with their four legged companion.
Circumstances change, your dog gets older, new behaviors crop up. We’re here to support you through all of it.
Each month, we’ll focus on a different Life Skill and Behavior Topic, all geared toward helping you live a better, more enjoyable, harmonious life with your dog. Members get a direct say in choosing skills and topics they want to cover, and you can always get advice on anything during monthly Office Hour Q&As and in the community discussion group.
And so much more!
Founding members will lock in this limited time rate of $45/month or $120/three months.
Wait list open now, enrollment opening soon!
Questions? Drop them below!
Image Description: a 4-slide carousel. Each slide has a white background with teal, golden, and maroon circular shapes at the top and bottom right corner. The top also has the title “Better Living with Dogs Membership Program” in teal block letters.
Slide 1: “When you’re feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, guilty (yellow arrow) we’ll help you feel confident, supported, proud.”
Slide 2: “All members have access to:
Three live sessions per month including:
life skills live classes
behavior chats
office hours Q&A
1-2 weekly exercises on the month's skill and topic
Access to all Jack and Jill on demand courses
A community discussion space
Seriously deep discounts on other services like private training and group classes”
Slide 3: “January
Life Skill: Nail Trims
Behavior Topic: Meeting Everyone's Needs
Live Session Calendar:
3rd: BONUS Better Living with Dogs Kickoff
5th: Life Skill Live Class
12th: Behavior Chat
19th: Office Hours Q&A”
Slide 4: “founding member price: $45/month $120/three months. Opening soon. Click link in bio to join waitlist.”
Want to learn how to teach your dog to come when called, enthusiastically, even in the face of distractions?
When you sign up you get:
12 daily exercises with examples and instructions sent right to your email
5 opportunities to submit videos for personalized feedback
2 live webinars with Q&A
and an even better relationship with your dog!
All for just $20
We’re also excited to be partnering with to offer a discount code for participants to get you equipped with a long line so you can practice safely!
The 12 Days kicks off on December 5th at 6:30pm eastern. If you can’t make it live, you’ll get access to the recordings.
Drop your questions in the comments and hit the link in my bio or visit bit.ly/12recall to sign up! Already signed up? Share this with someone else who needs it!
Image Description: a flyer type rectangular post decorated with red, green, and gold circles and plant shapes on the top and on the bottom right corner. The heading says “12 days of recall with Jack and Jill Dog Training” in green and red lettering. The text in the middle is green and says “2 live webinars, 5 opportunities for personalized video feedback, 12 daily exercises with examples and instructions sent right to your email lifetime access to exercises and recordings, all for just $20. Visit bit.ly/12recall.” The Jack and Jill logo is at the bottom and there’s a graphic silhouette of a dog running in the bottom right corner.
Great trainers provide you with the skills you need to influence your dog’s behavior ethically and sustainably. They break those skills down into achievable steps. They work with you to develop a plan that you are comfortable and capable of implementing. They answer your questions and honor your concerns.
Consider it a red flag if the first thing a trainer wants to do is grab the leash from you. It’s way more important that you can do it than that they can.
There are no dog whisperers - dog behavior is a lawful science. That means that anyone can learn and apply concepts to drive behavior change.
You know your dog better than anyone. You’re an equally valid and essential part of the team.
You’ve got this. And I’m here to help you believe that you do.
Image description: black text on a light blue background. Bold larger text at the top says “You can do this.” Below in smaller capital letters, “you have what it takes to train your dog.” There’s a blue streak behind the sentence. The Jack and Jill logo is at the bottom.
There are no words to describe the despair, outrage, fury, fear that I and so many others in this country are experiencing right now. We cannot be silent or kid ourselves that this dehumanizing of people with uteruses is unrelated to force free dog training. If you find yourself in the position to donate, I want to reinforce your behavior.
See story highlight for suggested funds. There will be 10 total spots available. Send your receipts to [email protected] or in a DM. You’ll get a link to schedule your session. This will be open until Friday or until all spots are claimed.
Thank you to for modeling this important behavior.
And listen, if you are celebrating the stripping of my rights, freedom, and bodily autonomy, you can go. Feel free to take out your trash silently.
Image Description: Slide 1: black text on light blue background. We believe that all people have a right to control their own bodies. If you do too, we want to show our appreciation. Jack and Jill logo at bottom. Slide 2: light blue frame around white background, black text. Donate to an abortion fund and get dog training or behavior support. Send your receipt for a $50 or greater donation to an abortion access fund and get a free 30-minute virtual session with Jack & Jill Dog Training. Jack and Jill logo at bottom.
The good news about social media: there is a ton of really great training and behavior content out there! The bad news: there is a ton of really terrible training and behavior content out there!
While training and behavior advice is not "one size fits all," there are many principles and standards of practice that do apply universally to all dogs (and all learners of any species!). These are some of the ways you can check if the advice you're seeing is sound.
And if you're ever not sure, ask! I'm so happy to provide insight when folks have questions about the things they're seeing.
Of course, the best thing you can do if you're struggling with your dog's behavior is to hire a qualified professional to work directly with you.
How else can we know what advice to trust online?
Image descriptions in pinned comment.
We're hosting a free webinar with Q&A for new and expecting puppy parents! Click here to register: https://landing.jackandjilldogtraining.com/puppywebinar0512
Public enrollment is now open on the website - link in bio. Currently 3 working spots and 4 auditor spots left. Free BIPOC spot has been claimed, sliding scale still available. Let me know if you have any questions!
all slides say “red light” in red and “green light” in green, using start button behaviors in dog training at the top. The background is a slightly transparent photo of Jack resting his chin on Jill’s hand and looking up at the camera.
Slide 1 has a text box in the bottom left corner that says, “want to learn how to give your dog more of a say in training while also increasing cooperation?“
Slide 2 says “Begins May 11th. Online modules, live group sessions, and individual coaching” in the same spot.
Slide 3 has a long quote in the middle that says “the course transformed start buttons from an abstract idea to a practical and applicable training strategy for me and my dogs. I learned not only how to use start buttons correctly in our training, but how to ensure that my dogs understood the concept and were participating willingly and joyfully. Jill is such a pleasure to work with & is truly a wealth of knowledge! - Sam, Rio, and Indy.”
Slide 4 says “working teams and auditor spots available. Offering sliding scale and free BIPOC slots.”
Raise your hand if you’ve been there 🙋
As your trainer, I’m here to help you recognize what progress you are making, understand what changes to expect along the way, support you with all of your hard work, and celebrate your dog for the unique individual that they are.
Accessibility in comments.
I’ve seen and heard trainers say multiple times that what we label reactivity is really better termed over-reactivity. That it’s a disproportionate response to a stimulus.
I think this view is extremely dismissive of our animal’s experience.
We may think that our dog’s growling, barking, lunging, snarling, snapping, and biting is an overreaction. But our dog sure doesn’t.
They’re not behaving that way to give us a hard time or to be dramatic (see previous post about that idea).
They’re reacting in a way that to them feels necessary. It’s not up to us to decide how another being experiences their environment.
Remember this next time your dog has a big reaction. I hope it allows you to have a bit more patience with them.
a photo of a red and white border collie mid-bark against a white background. The text at the top says “is it reactivity or over-reactivity?” The Jack and Jill logo is in the bottom left corner.
What an honor to be named the top trainer in Michigan and the Detroit area. This is a whole bunch of positive reinforcement for me today. 💙
I’m so appreciative of all of your support, and especially of those who took the time to vote.
Let’s keep spreading that R+ goodness to the world.
text reads “I am officially one of the top trainers in Michigan! Thank you for your support! Sponsored by Sniffspot, rent safe private dog parks.” There is a green number 1 ribbon in the background. The Sniffspot logo is at the bottom.
Does positive reinforcement training take longer than other types of training?
Let’s see what the research tells us. How does this compare with your experience? What factors do you think influence our conception of “fast”?
Image descriptions in comments.
Dogs don’t walk the way we do.
This is the recorded route of our walk this morning. I added in the blue line as an estimate.
We humans like beaten paths. Straight lines. A to B. Consistent speed and direction.
Dogs naturally change speed, pace, and direction very frequently while walking. They’ll circle with their nose to the ground over the same patch of grass for a few moments. They’ll stop and lift their head and take in their surroundings. They’ll zig zag, veer sideways, and even turn around and head back the way they came.
These two walking styles do not mesh well and cause a lot of conflict between dogs and their guardians.
How do I avoid that conflict and make walks more harmonious with me, Jack, and Grace?
🌳 Use a 15-20 foot long line. Yes they get tangled. Yes I have to adjust and gather and let out the lines pretty constantly. Yes it’s worth it.
🌳 Choose environments that will allow us to navigate on those long lines safely without infringing on the rights of others to enjoy public spaces.
🌳 Reinforce their behaviors like checking in, coming back to me, walking close to me, and walking slowly, when they choose to. I ask them for these things rarely and when needed for safety.
🌳 Take it slow. This walk was 1.2 miles (my distance) and lasted 46 minutes. It’s not a race.
🌳 Follow them. You can see in the top left corner where I wanted to conform to the suggested human route and they did not. So I turned. It’s their walk, not mine.
Letting your dog set the pace and direction of your walk will not cause behavioral problems or make them think they’re in charge of you. It’s more likely to result in a happier, more satisfied dog whose needs have been met.
Image description pinned in comments.
I love that Sniffspot is choosing to highlight positive trainers across the country, and I'm honored to be one of them.
If you have a moment to visit the link and choose "Jill Hassevoort" from the list, I would appreciate your support!
https://form.jotform.com/220466155218049
You’re home alone in the evening and you hear a strange noise in your basement.
You’re terrified, but you just have to find out what it was. You slowly inch your way down the stairs, holding your breath and clenching every muscle in your body. You just want to get to that light switch, flip it on, and see what’s going on.
Right before you do, a hand suddenly reaches out of the darkness and grabs your face.
How would you react?
This same scenario often plays out for our fearful dogs. These dogs might approach a new person to gather information, but that approach is misinterpreted as an invitation to pet.
I’ve spoken with many dog guardians who are mystified by this - “they went right up to the person and then started barking out of nowhere!” I’ve found this metaphor really helps folks understand the motivation behind their dogs behavior and be able to better navigate those situations.
If you and your fearful dog are struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a qualified, ethical trainer. We’re here for you.
one slide with a photo on the left and text on the right. The photo is very dark, and you can just see the shadow of a hand reaching forward toward light coming from behind a curtain. The text says “both humans and dogs will approach things that scare them. This does not mean either of them want to be grabbed by that thing.” The Jack and Jill logo is at the bottom.
Red Light, Green Light 🚦
Start Button Class from Jack and Jill!
A start button behavior is like a green light. It provides a way for our learners not just to be passive recipient, but active leaders in their training.
Registration for this course opens one week from today - February 15th. Space is limited and Patreon members will get early access to enrollment, so if you want to take your training to the next level, that’s your best bet to snag a spot!
Visit www.jackandjilldogtraining.com/group-classes for more info. Link in bio.
: The title image appears for a few seconds. It’s a picture of Jack resting his chin on Jill’s hand. The text on the image says “Red Light Green Light: Using Start Button Behaviors in Dog Training.” Then many short clips are cut together showing dogs performing start button behaviors in a variety of situations - nail trims, putting on gear, being approached by strangers or other dogs, walking forward on a leash, etc.
A dog bed is a construct.
Also, restricting access to these things for the sake of “structure” and “boundaries” is not going to improve their behavior in other areas, but instead is more likely to damage your relationship with the dog you share your life with.
What else serves as a “dog bed” in your home?
The first four slides have pictures of a traditional dog bed, a regular bed with several pillows, a couch, and a human lap respectively. They all are labeled with text that says “dog bed.” The last slide is white text on a blue background that says “access to comfortable resting places is a basic need. There is no inherent benefit from restricting your dog from these things.” The photos from the first four slides are in a row at the bottom.
We are so conditioned to accept many things as normal without questioning them, including when it comes to how we view and treat dogs.
As trainers, we should always strive to refine our techniques to be less invasive and less aversive for our learners (human and dog).
As dog guardians, we should always question what we’re told and ask if there’s another, less invasive, less aversive way to reach our goals.
And if there really isn’t, we should question why we even have that goal in the first place.
What’s something in the cultural fog that you’ve come to question as a dog guardian?
black text on a light blue background says, “We have this cultural fog that is so full of force and coercion and people are so comfortable with it. It is shockingly familiar that we can look at these force and coercion strategies and be okay with them and not think, “gee, on this complex beautiful planet, is there not another way to accomplish that goal. And it has an effect on the behavioral and emotional health of our animals…there is nothing necessary or right about that.” The last six words are highlighted in blue. The Jack and Jill logo is at the bottom.
When I asked you all how the idea that there are no quick fixes made you feel, some of you said you felt…
Intimidated
Discouraged
Frustrated
Panicked
Exhausted
Disappointed
Overwhelmed
Worried
Nervous given the severity of the behavior
Like you will be tired and your dog will be sad forever 😕
While I do think it’s important to set our expectations to be in it for the long haul, I think we can have a lot more hope than this old maxim. There’s plenty we can do right now.
Accessibility thread in comments.
I say this as much for myself as for any of you who may relate.
Living with anxiety and depression makes everything feel hard.
Small tasks seem overwhelming.
It’s difficult to get started with a task, and hard to stay focused when you can.
Most days, just doing the bare minimum soaks up all of your energy and leaves you completely spent.
Then when you compare yourself to others, the things you see people doing with their dogs on social media, you feel like a complete failure.
You should be doing more. Why aren’t you doing more?
I’m here to tell you (and myself) that you are enough for your dog. You show up for them every day with unconditional love. You care so much about doing it right that you spend time reading and following R+ training Instagram accounts, for goodness sake! Don’t discount the things you are doing - the long line walks, the enrichment toys, the gift of your presence.
You have to put on your own oxygen mask first. When you can, your dog will be there, so happy to see you back to feeling like you.
a tan pit bull puppy with a red nose is sleeping with her head on a pillow. She’s wearing pink pajamas with sharks on them and snuggled under a navy blue blanket. There’s a blue banner above with text that says “your mental health struggles do not make you a bad dog guardian.” The Jack and Jill logo is in the bottom right corner.
If you’re like us, you’ve spent the past several days traveling, staying in different houses, gathering with family and friends. Maybe you decided not to take your dog with, but they stayed somewhere different or with a sitter.
All of this change in routine, as fun and enjoyable as it can be, really wears on us. I myself am feeling it, so I know that Jack and Grace are as well.
Whenever we land home from vacation and travel, I always plan to give them down time for a day or so.
✔️ We forego our regular walks and hikes
✔️ We do some licking, chewing, shredding enrichment
✔️ We arrange the environment to encourage long periods of quality rest (usually this means I’m on the couch with them and we find a good show to binge)
✔️ We don’t plan for outings, play dates, visitors, or anything that may be stressful for them.
Protecting this down time allows their bodies to rest, lets their nervous systems to recover, and helps ensure that they won’t experience any compounding stress. (We see you coming, New Years. 😒)
What will rest look like for you and the dog you share your life with this holiday season?
a large dark brown dog with floppy ears is laying on a round, dark green dog bed. He’s wearing a red collar and snuggling a raccoon toy. There’s a banner at the top of the image that says “remember to give your dog time to rest this holiday season” and the Jack and Jill logo is in the bottom right corner.
You’ve asked, I’ve answered.
These are my must-haves that I use almost every single day on our outdoor adventures.
🐶 For the pups
⭐️ Blue9 Balance Harness - super adjustable and with the option for front or back leash attachment
⭐️ Hurtta Casual Harness - the first harness I found that accommodated Jack’s barrel chest without rubbing his armpits
⭐️ 1.5” Fabric Martingale - soft, comfy, easy on and off. I usually only use these for tags.
⭐️ Biothane Flat Collar - easy to clean and never stinky, which is a must for us! Check out for biothane collars.
⭐️ Hurtta Winter Coats - attractive designs, easy on and off, high quality, and warm!
⭐️ Euro Dog Designs Rain Coat - easy on and off, keeps the pups dry when we hike in all weathers.
💁♀️ For me
⭐️ WoofCultr F***y Pack and Beanie - easily access treats and spread the R+ word on your forehead. Use code JACK15 for 15% off your next order
⭐️ Doggone Good Rapid Rewards Pouch - the best treat pouch there is
⭐️ Squeeze Pouches - for delivering peanut butter - Jack’s absolute favorite - to reinforce recalls on the go
⭐️ Canicross Belt - go hands-free for on-leash adventures
⭐️ Trailblazing Tails Long Line - makes high-quality Biothane leashes that are easy to clean, hard to tangle, and versatile.
Please support the small businesses mentioned whenever you can. I’ve also created an Amazon shop with these products. Consider buying through the shop - your purchase helps support all of the dog training content you enjoy here. Link in bio.
www.amazon.com/shop/jackandjilldogtraining
| Monday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 18:00 |
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Red Light, Green Light 🚦 Start Button Class from Jack and Jill! A start button behavior is like a green light. It provides a way for our learners not just to be passive recipient, but active leaders in their training. Registration for this course opens one week from today - February 15th. Space is limited and Patreon members will get early access to enrollment, so if you want to take your training to the next level, that’s your best bet to snag a spot! Visit www.jackandjilldogtraining.com/group-classes for more info. Link in bio. #Accessibility: The title image appears for a few seconds. It’s a picture of Jack resting his chin on Jill’s hand. The text on the image says “Red Light Green Light: Using Start Button Behaviors in Dog Training.” Then many short clips are cut together showing dogs performing start button behaviors in a variety of situations - nail trims, putting on gear, being approached by strangers or other dogs, walking forward on a leash, etc.
As a trainer, I have high expectations and goals for myself and for my dogs in training and in life. When I learned that Jack would need monthly injections to manage his arthritis, I knew that I wanted to be able to do them myself. Little did I know that my own fears and insecurities would be the biggest thing to get in our way. I feared the needle. I feared applying pressure to break through his skin. I feared hurting him. I feared feeling like a failure if it didn’t go perfectly, or if we couldn’t do it ourselves and I would have to have it done by someone else, or that he would be in more pain because of a missed dose. We worked with the amazing Laura Monaco Torelli (whose voice can be heard on the video) through this procedure, and during our last session she coached me through a real injection. Jack already had these skills - he knew the chin rest, how to hold it during body tactile, how to take reinforcement, how to station and perform tricks. Truly, the hardest part was building up my confidence and fluency in the face of those very real fears and pressures. Laura was a fantastic coach and encourager through the entire process. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and our dogs. This is true not just in cooperative care (oh no, the dog lifted their head! they pulled their paw away!), but in so much of our lives with them. I think it’s time we take some of that pressure off, do the best we can, and stop being afraid to take big risks even if things don’t look perfectly polished. So here’s a real video of a real trainer feeling nervous and awkward and bumbling through a procedure, and feeling very real relief and joy when it all goes okay.
Jack booty appreciation. That’s it. That’s the post.
It may not look like a lot, but it’s huge. For dogs like Korra, just stepping out the front door is terrifying. The hinges creak and the door moves unexpectedly. The wind blows and all the leaves on every plant flutter and make noise. The flag across the street flaps. A car door slams down the block and a dog barks from inside their house. A stranger is on the sidewalk - and they’re heading straight towards you. While growling, barking, and lunging look to us like a dog who’s not afraid of a confrontation, often those behaviors are deeply rooted in fear. Dogs who are reactive do not need to get over it, learn boundaries, or receive corrections for displaying these behaviors. They need to feel safe. While providing alternate enrichment and exercise outlets, we are working on building Korra’s confidence with the world. Today, she felt safe enough in her front yard to stand with a loose leash, sniff for treats in the grass, and offer eye contact. For dogs like Korra, this is huge. I’m so proud of her. Celebrate the small wins with your dog, because those are what add up to huge victories.
Do you know why your dog pulls on the leash? Me either. Until I meet your dog and learn more about them, I can’t say what’s causing that behavior. Dogs may pull because: 🐕🦺 they’re excited 🐕🦺 they’re afraid of something 🐕🦺 they feel nervous 🐕🦺 they haven’t been shown what to do instead 🐕🦺 the environment or length of the leash is setting them up to do so 🐕🦺 their needs for enrichment and exercise haven’t been appropriately met 🐕🦺 any combination of the above Unless you can identify what is motivating your dog to pull, you can’t identify a solution. What I can tell are things that AREN’T reasons why dogs pull: ✖️ because they’re stubborn ✖️ because they’re dominant ✖️ because they think they’re the alpha who needs to be at the front of the pack ✖️ because they’re wearing a harness Winnie is practicing the voluntary 1-2-3 treat walking game, because sometimes she gets nervous and doesn’t want to continue walking. This game, created by the wonderful Leslie McDevitt, allows her to say when she’s ready to move forward by offering eye contact, and provides predictability that helps decrease her anxiety. [VD: a young golden retriever wearing a leash and harness stands next to a white woman. The dog looks up at the human, they take three steps forward, then the human puts a treat on the ground for the dog.]
What about when there’s no treat that can compete with the environment? 🐠 This is a question I get asked a lot. Normally, it’s best training practice to use high-value treats when working around high-level distractions. But there will always be situations where nothing you can put in your pocket it better than what the world has to offer. 👉 What we think of as distractions are really just reinforcers that we don’t have control over. 👈 Jack LOVES fishing. 🐟 He’ll scan the water for movement endlessly and has been known to swim out far beyond what is safe while totally ignoring my calls. Here I am working on his ability to pay attention to me while there is an opportunity to fish. I reward for any attention he offers first with a high-value treat, and then with the opportunity to resume fishing. When Jack begins to understand that he can go fishing AND get peanut butter if he checks in with me, he begins to do so more often. For those who love the nerdy behavior side of these things, this is a concept known as the Premack Principle: using a high-probability behavior (fishing) to reinforce a low-probability behavior (looking at me or coming when called in this situation). Some people also call it the “eat your vegetables” of dog training. 🥦 What does your dog LOVE to get distracted by? How might you harness the power of that distraction and turn it into a reinforcer?
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