Canine Einstein

When starting out with positive reinforcement training, make sure your reward is better than the behavior you’re trying to extinguish. Most dogs won’t work for the reward if what they’re doing is better, because what they’re doing is often self-reinforcing or way more interesting. Would you work hard for a Honda if you knew you could have a Lamborghini much easier? Probably not.

You’re not going to extinguish most behaviors with a piece of kibble or dog biscuit unless your dog is extremely food motivated. Most dogs are motivated by food, but just as many are also motivated by playing with other dogs, chasing anything that is moving quickly, or sniffing every inch of ground. All of these things can make good reinforcers.

Even if you have an awesome reward, most people start out way too close to the objective. For instance, if you were trying to teach your dog to stop chasing bunnies, you wouldn’t want to put them in a field full of bunnies and expect a few pieces of jerky to do the trick. You would first start out with one bunny, at a distance, maybe even with a barrier inbetween. And you would use their favorite reward — but only for that particular behavior extinction.

Always think of dog training logically; if you were in the dog’s shoes, would you do any different? So next time you train, don’t use Hondas and don’t throw them in a field of bunnies. Use Lamborghinis and start off in your living room! And remember…ALWAYS be patient!