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Ask Yvette

Last week, we discussed why many dogs do not understand basic obedience commands. These are teaching errors that are often made by novice handlers. This week, let's look at why seasoned, well-trained dogs might refuse to obey a simple command like, “sit.”

Dogs can comply or refuse to do as they are told. The dog can ask, “Why should I?” They can ask, “Why should I not do it? Stress and anxiety can also undermine motivation. Stressed dogs are not going to work well.

Sometimes, I find that people become frustrated when a dog does not want to work. People fall into a downward tailspin. They get frustrated. People nag. The dog simply does not want to do as asked. The dog learns to refuse because they learn to tune out nagging. Far too often, people voluntarily give up control through poor leadership skills. Then they fight a loosing battle struggling to get it back.

Over the years, there are many techniques that have. Some people give a cookie for a sit. Some people use a leash correction on a choke collar to punish a dog for not sitting. These impact motivation. “I want a cookie, so I will sit.” On the other hand, it could be, “I do not like that pain in my neck, so I will sit.”

No one really wants to give a dog a cookie for a sit for the rest of the dog's life. I'm not really convinced that too many people want to use pain on their dogs if there is another way.

The good news is there is a technique that works to wean away from food, increases motivation and does not use pain. The technical term is called, “Premack.” In layman's terms it is grandmother's rule. Eat your broccoli or no dessert.

After a dog learns very clearly what a command means, then you can start using Premack. You use different real life rewards to support what you have taught. Here are some great examples:

Sit before going out the door for a walk.
Sit before getting your dinner.
Sit before being petted.

These types of relationships work because they form strong habits. You never have to give a treat because the walk becomes a reward for listening. Still think it's too simple? Think again. There is a very good reason dogs willing perform tricks and refuse obedience commands. We slather them with attention for a spin. They learn that ringing a bell can get them outside. They get a cuddle for fetching slippers. The rewards are built in.

By the same token, the punishment is built in too. If you don't ring the bell, the door won't open. If you don't spin, people frown and make you try again.

But you must be consistent. Grandma's rule will not work if little Johnny can refuse broccoli and grab a bag of chips. In the same manner you do not allow a dog to self-reward. Positive is not permissive. You find a balance that is firm AND kind. Great handlers command respect. They motivate their dogs. You can spot them a mile away. The dog is happily working for a smiling owner who can whisper their commands.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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