What motivates your dog?

... by Averill Ring

There can be a large discrepancy between what you think is motivating for your dog and what your dog finds motivating. Sometimes, depending on circumstances or surroundings, motivators that have been top in the dog's opinion become mundane and uninteresting. Thus, it's very important that you know what drives your dog and that you have a variety of these things available when you train.

Use the list below to help make your own list of what your dog loves; you'll probably have items that are not included in the list (tell us about them!). On the other hand, you may find some new ideas here! Think like your dog! and rank them in importance. Be sure to include at least 10 items in your list.

Rewards are not always created equal

Think about how your dog will react to your choices in different circumstances: training at home, coming to agility or obedience class, playing with his friends in the park, etc. You may notice that some of your reinforcers are not suitable for certain activities (e.g., hard to use "go for a ride" at agility class, at least not more once per session). You should also consider, if using food, that a variety of food choices taken from higher and lower rankings might be more useful than only one food type, even if it's the top choice. For instance, if your dog will KILL for chicken, you may want to bring it to class to use for "superior" performance (like accomplishing something -- or a part of something -- that you've been striving for) but that you also have some jerky treats to use for "good" performance, and even alternate those jerky treats with a "lesser" treat in order to keep the dog guessing -- and interested!

If your dog is having problems focusing on you -- he continually puts his nose on the ground and wanders out to the end of the leash, or keeps trying to visit a nearby dog to socialize -- just isn't interested in what YOU are doing, definitely rethink what you are using as motivators. A high-powered motivator delivered frequently for a job well done should be sufficient to keep the dog with you. Be sure that your working sessions are short, especially in the early learning phases, so the dog doesn't become overwhelmed with the job you are asking of him. Understand that sometimes the environment is just too stimulating for a dog and he is unable to focus. That is when you might move him away from all the activity (like in a beginning obedience class) and try the work in a quieter area -- or you might stay where you are and lower your expectations for the time being. Often a dog will be overstimulated the first time he is in a new place (especially a training class) but is a totally different dog, able to focus and work, the next time.

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