Tip of the Week:
Make Your Dog Work For It!
Get faster results from your dog by never giving anything for free. By making your dog stop and think before he gets a reward, he will be more likely to offer you behaviors that you like for free in the future. Below are some examples of how you can do this:
*Before setting your dog's food bowl down, ask him for a known cue, like "sit". After she sits, set the food bowl down for her. When you have done this a few times, don't ask her for the cue right away. Wait and see if she sit's automatically. She might surprise you with how fast she is learning her manners!
*Don't pet your dog when he isn't being calm. This will encourage calm behavior if you only pet him when he is laying down, sitting or standing calmly.
*Next time you are taking your dog for a walk, wait for your dog to look you in the eyes before walking out the door. This encourages her to check in with you before going outside.
Get creative! Does your dog know any tricks? Next time you are playing fetch with him, ask him for a trick before you through the ball. There are tons of ways to get your dog to work for the things he likes.
