Happy National Train Your Dog Month!

Happy National Train Your Dog Month! Even if dog training wasn’t part of your New Year’s resolution (that’s ok!), now is the perfect time to start—or restart your training journey. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy, have an adult dog you'd like to teach new skills, or simply want to strengthen your bond with your dog, positive reinforcement training is the best way to achieve great results while fostering a deeper connection with them. This method makes training enjoyable and effective for both of you. Let’s explore what positive reinforcement training is and how it can transform your life and relationship with your dog.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desirable (“good”) behaviors rather than punishing undesirable (“bad”) ones, which strengthens the behaviors you want to see more of from your dog (in other words, the behaviors that are rewarded happen more often). This method isn't just effective—it’s enjoyable for both you and your dog! By using rewards like treats and toys, you create a dog who’s eager to learn and, even better, motivated to repeat the behaviors you’ve taught them. For example, if you consistently reward your dog for coming when called, they’ll be more likely to eagerly return to you the next time you call. Positive reinforcement also strengthens your bond with your dog, fostering a relationship built on trust and collaboration. Rather than the "do this or else" mentality, your dog learns to follow your cues because good things happen when they do.

Why is Positive Reinforcement So Effective?

Positive reinforcement works for two key reasons: it provides clear guidance and information to your dog, eliminating confusion, and it makes doing what you ask of them rewarding and motivating for your dog, encouraging them to listen and engage with you. Let me explain…

When implemented correctly, each reward you give your dog acts as a clear “yes, keep doing that!” signal. This precise feedback teaches your dog exactly which behaviors lead to rewards, and like us, dogs are more likely to repeat actions that benefit them. For example, if you ask your dog to sit and reward them with a tasty treat every time they do, they’re likely to sit again the next time you ask. The clear communication provided by positive reinforcement training can lead to faster and more lasting results than other training methods.

What’s even better is that dogs remember what has paid off for them in the past. So, if you’ve consistently rewarded your dog for sitting, they may even perform the behavior without being prompted. We call this “offered behavior,” and it can be a powerful tool for addressing behavioral challenges. For instance, let’s say a dog tends to counter-surf while the humans are preparing dinner. If this dog has learned that sitting leads to rewards, and they’re eyeing the pot roast being prepped, they may actually plop their butt down on the floor and offer a sit, hoping for a treat. If the humans are savvy and reward that sit (with a dog treat, not the pot roast), the dog begins to learn that sitting—not jumping on the counter—is the way to get what they want. With consistent positive reinforcement, the dog can learn to sit for longer periods, and counter surfing becomes a thing of the past.

Humans are hard-wired to gravitate toward things that bring rewards and pleasure—whether that’s working to earn a paycheck, scrolling through social media for a dopamine boost, or engaging in hobbies that bring us joy. Positive reinforcement taps into this same motivation, making it an incredibly powerful tool for achieving lasting behavioral results with your dog.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Positive Reinforcement Training Plan

While positive reinforcement is an incredibly effective training method, there’s still a learning curve and room for mistakes along the way. To help you get the most out of your training efforts, here are my top tips:

1. Reward Appropriately

Imagine I asked you to detail my car and then paid you $5 for your efforts. Next month, I ask you to do it again. What’s the likelihood you’ll say yes? Probably low, because $5 doesn’t match the time and effort involved. What if I asked you to run an errand you don’t enjoy doing, and you came home to a gift of dark chocolate as a thank you—but you hate dark chocolate—that wouldn’t be much of a reward, right?

The same principle applies to dog training. Make sure you’re rewarding your dog appropriately. This means offering rewards that match the task at hand. For more challenging tasks, offer higher-quality or larger quantities of rewards. And make sure the rewards you’re using are things your dog truly enjoys—like their favorite high-value treats or toys.

2. Be Consistent

Consistency is key to effective training. To get great results, your communication needs to be clear and reliable. When your dog is learning a new skill, they need to understand exactly what behavior you expect and why they’ve earned a reward (hint: because of the behavior they just performed). Inconsistent rewards create unclear communication, which can lead to confusion and subpar training results.

3. Set Realistic Goals and Break Them into Micro Steps

Training takes time, so it's essential to set realistic, achievable goals. Instead of focusing on the big picture, break your goal into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if your goal is for your dog to reliably come when called, start by rewarding them for simple steps like responding to their name. Then, gradually increase the difficulty by calling them from a few feet away in less distracting environments, and eventually work up to more challenging situations. These small steps make the learning process smoother and can actually help you reach your goal faster.

4. Have Patience (With Yourself and Your Dog)

Learning new skills takes time, and both you and your dog are on this journey together. Above all, training should be fun! Be patient with the process, and don’t be too hard on yourself or your dog when mistakes happen. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process—embrace them as opportunities to grow.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out for Help

If you ever find yourself stuck or feeling unsure, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a qualified professional. Training can be challenging, and sometimes an experienced trainer can offer the assistance needed to move forward successfully. Whether you’re dealing with a tricky behavioral issue or need more personalized training strategies, help is available!

If you're ready to take the next step in your dog’s training, I’d love to discuss your dog’s behavior and your training goals. Let’s work together to help you achieve them. Schedule a free phone consultation today!

With wags and aloha,

Cori Tufano- CPDT