How to Use a Real Life Reward for Your Dog

 “The walk” turns some dogs into instant knuckleheads as soon as you pick up the leash.  Did you ever try to put a leash on an excitable jumping dog then get head butted in the nose? Your nose is stinging with pain while tears are rolling down your face. You touch your nose to see if you’re bleeding. You utter some colorful pleasantries. Your blood pressure is rising and your patience is running thin.  At this point some people just give up and never take their dogs for a walk. They banish the dog to the back yard to relive and entertain themselves. Now we see the unwanted digging and barking behaviors develop. Your relationship with your neighbors is now in the toilet. It turns into a vicious cycle. Then there are the lucky owners that can finally get out the door. They’ve been wrestling with their pooch for the last ten minutes just trying to put on the leash. Doesn’t that owner realize that he is rewarding that obnoxious behavior from the dog by taking him for a walk?  Going for a walk is a gigantic “real life reward” for most dogs.  So why not use it to your advantage. It sounds simple but all you need is patience and a dog that wants to go for a walk. When training your dog it isn’t always necessary to use treats. You can use “real life rewards” anywhere and at any time. The art of dog training is rewarding calm behavior.

The walk begins in the house. Don’t ask your dog “Shadow do you want to go walkies? The object is to keep you and the dog calm. All you have to do is pick up the leash.  It’s amazing how a dog can hear. They seem to have bionic hearing when we open a refrigerator door 3 rooms away. Take a deep breath in through your nose and blow out slowly through your mouth. Pick up the leash. Here comes the dog. Ask him for a “sit.”  Squat down next to your dog.  Place your hand under the chin while slipping your thumb under the collar. This can help you not get smacked in the face again.  If he begins to jump or wiggle, remove your hand.  If you try again and he starts to wiggle or jump simply get up and walk away. Go hang up the leash. Go poor a glass of tea, relax. I love to see the expressions of the dogs at this point. It’s like what the heck man really? Start over and try again in a couple of minutes. You might get a little bit more cooperation this time. Snap on the leash walk toward the door. If for any reason the calm behavior changes just take off the leash.  Go sit on the couch, turn on TV and breathe. Try again in a couple of minutes. Patience is key!

Marion O’Neil CPDT-KA

Trainer and Owner of Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC