Dogs are generally motivated by two things; praise or food. While many dogs will respond to praise alone, we strongly adhere to the Positive Reinforcement Method in the beginning/teaching phases of training.

There are two basic elements of the Positive Reinforcement Method (PMR) - a Primary Reward (verbal praise) and a Secondary Reward (food or ball or some other toy the dog really likes).

When a dog does something that pleases us (coming when called, sitting or lying down when told) we generally praise the dog for doing so. That's an example of Primary Reward. By administering the Secondary Reward, a tasty treat for example, the dog quickly learns that, by complying to a given command, he or she will often get a bonus in the process. 

Once a dog learns a particular exercise or behavior, we begin to wean the dog off the Secondary Reward and administer it intermittently so the dog never knows when he or she will get it.  This makes for a dog that works happily and reliably.

Many dog trainers make the mistake of rewarding the dog for EVERYTHING it does, accurately or not. We call these trainers "cookie pushers" and they generally don't know a straight sit from a crooked one. The key to using food effectively is to reward the dog only when it exhibits a correct behavior or response; straight front or finish, fast straight sits in heeling, quick response on the recall, etc.   

Your Instructor will guide you through this process, step by step, and you'll soon have a dog that does what it's told when it's told.

I AM YOUR DOG

The years go so very fast and before you know it, that romping pup is old and grey muzzled and they have sat by our sides while we read, watch TV, and work on our computers. Every so often they come and lay their heads in our laps, toss our elbow with their muzzle or gaze into our eyes and wait for us to notice them.

Take a moment now to remember what they mean to you.

I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and running there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.

You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world?

A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong-doing for just a simple moment of your time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me.

So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "one more day" with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me.

We have NOW, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as "trainer" or even "Mom or Dad," come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general.

You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with. Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls.

I do not think of you as a "dog on two feet" -- I know what you are and who you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper into my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy, and I will know your true self. We may not have tomorrow, but we do have today, and life is oh so very short.

So please -- come sit with me now and let us share these precious moments we have together.

Love, on behalf of canines everywhere,
Your Dog

Author Unknown

IF A DOG WERE THE TEACHER YOU WOULD LEARN STUFF LIKE...

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.