Yellow Brick Dogs

Dogs do what works!

And truthfully, most dogs don't work simply due to an innate desire to please. There are some dogs who light up when their owner smiles or looks at them (lucky people!), but most dogs are in it to get what they need. Dogs are animals with certain biological needs--nourishment, shelter, reproduction to name some of them.

The easiest and most practical way to "get in your dog's head" is to figure out what he wants, and then use it! Now, I'm not suggesting that you should go set your dog up on blind dates in the dog park to meet the third "need" from above (in fact, please spay or neuter your dog--even if he is the best dog in the world!). I'm simply saying that it is too much of a resource to not use what your dog naturally desires to help you train him/her. I often hear that "treat training" or "click training" will create a dog who not only will blow you off if you forget your hot dogs, but he'll get fat, spoiled, and lose his spirit.

I am here to tell you that, thankfully, it is entirely the opposite! A Clicker trained dog works for every piece of food he gets (well...I give a freebie every once in a while!), he works happily, doesn't just get food, he gets toys and environmental rewards, and, yes he will perform reliable without food present (truly!).

I do not believe in dominating your dog. I believe in creating a working partnership with your dog, or if your are like me, a happy medium between working partnership and best friends. The training I do with my own dog is not for competition or to show off. I train because it allows me to give my dog more freedom and because we both enjoy it!

Using positive reinforcement is FUN. Imagine calling your dog to you and then playing a rousing game of tug for a few moments and then being able to go on and work on something like "spin" or targeting. If your dog is happy, you will be happy, and vice versa. If you are feeling down about training, re-think the way you are going about it.

Any animal can be trained using these methods. You don't have to be a dog expert, and you don't have to have super upper-body strength either. These principles work not only with dogs, they can be applied to work with nearly any animal. Any marine animal you have seen performing was trained using positive reinforcement. After all, can you put a choke chain on a dolphin?

Old dogs, young dogs, giant dogs, toy dogs, and even puppies that are only a few weeks old can be trained. While it is best to start off early training your dog, an old dog CAN and SHOULD learn new tricks. It's never too late to start working with your dog.

Here are links to some articles (not written by myself) that explore and discuss my theories on training:

• Don't Risk Punishing -- Dee Ganley
• I'd Rather Dance With My Dogs Than Be A Drill Sergeant -- Dee Ganley
• Clicker Solutions Training Articles -- Various
• Aversive or Punishment? -- Karen Pryor
• Operant Conditioning and the Traditional Trainer -- Karen Pryor
• Forget About Being Alpha in Your Pack -- Kathy Sdao
• Making Them Regret It -- Victoria Farrington
• The History and Misconceptions of Dominance Theory -- Melissa Alexander
• You Can't Train A Catahoula With a Tootsie Roll! -- Marni Fowler
• Dog Whisperer, Dog Psychology, and Cesar Millan -- Lisa Mullinax