“I can see her making choices.”
During a training session, a client made this observation.
His dog was able to disengage from someone approaching which is usually a very exciting situation leading to his dog jumping up on the person.
Instead, with an established reinforcement history, she made a different choice of looking back at my client even when she started to become a little excited.
She also had her needs met of getting attention from one of her favorite humans.
Teaching your dog what you want sets your dog up for making choices in her environment.
The choices you want are established through a strong reinforcement history.
You go through each step at a time.
Building your dog’s self control capabilities.
As you begin seeing what your dog is offering as something of value, you can quickly signal the value to your dog.
Being patient, waiting for the environment to change, observing what your dog is communicating through the changes of your dog’s body language, you can then become aware what your dog is offering and begin seeing your dog making the choices you want.
The choices of looking at you, looking away from the trigger will inhibit the emotional response of the barking and lunging out of fear or frustration will be replaced because your dog is feeling safe in the
environment.
When your dog is relaxed, your dog can offer the choices of staying engaged with you.
Engagement with you, is the goal.
Four Paws & You Dog Training 