When I approach a dog with a problem behavior, whether they’re my own or a client’s, I try to figure out what is motivating him to act in that way! From jumping on me (or guests), to barking nonstop, to peeing on the rug, what is his motivation?
Sometimes it is helpful to know what started a behavior, but not always. We often create stories for our dogs to explain bad behavior. “Fluffy doesn’t like men, he was abused before we got him.” “Fluffy snaps when you get near his food, we think he was starved.” “Fluffy jumps on us because he’s so grateful to see us, he was a stray who never knew love.”
All of those statements might be true. But from a training perspective, they don’t matter (sorry guys, I still love Fluffy, I’m just making a point!!). Motivation is separate from back story!
If Fluffy snaps when you get near his food, does that make you back off? He achieved his goal, and you (accidentally) positively reinforced his snapping! If Fluffy jumps on you or guests, does he get petted, or talked to (even if you’re yelling “NO”)? He got your attention! Mission successful!
So when I come into a situation like any of these, I do my best to change the motivation! If Fluffy snaps, I get some kind of food (like cheese) that is a lot tastier than dog food, and see if he’ll come away from his food to get it. If so, I’ll do that many times to make sure there’s no negative feelings about coming away from the food bowl, and then I may pick it up briefly, make sure Fluffy notices, and give it back! This way I create an association around the food bowl that is positive!
Another (perhaps more clever solution) is to simply hand feed! Either way, I have changed the motivation. No longer will growling make me back off, but I’m also not only no longer a perceived threat, but a sign that good things are about to happen! Instead of needing to growl to keep his food, if he allows me to be near, he gets a treat AND keeps his food!!
There are as many more ways to train as there are trainers, but this is an excellent example of my way of thinking! Thank you for reading, and please let me know what else you would like to read about!
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