This is one of my favorite animal training tips: reward for calm.
Easier said than done, yes! This can be hard. Finally, your dog or cat has settled down. They are not frantically seeking your attention. You are, at last, able to focus on your work or your relaxing show or game. You don’t want to disturb the peace.
However, this is the exact moment in which you might really benefit from saying “Yes!” to your dog or cat and following it up with a small, tasty, treat that that individual finds rewarding.
Reinforce a behavior you want more of, to get more of it!
To get rid of a behavior, do not reinforce it. Again, this is easier said than done.
So, if we want more relaxed, cuddly, snuggles it’s a good idea to mark and reward those moments! It can be soft pets and praise, just make sure it’s something your friend really loves.
Make sure to Reward for Calm, was something that came up in every appointment with a veterinary behaviorist I met with when working with rescue dogs with extremely difficult to handle behaviors.
I took it to heart when I brought my own pups home. When they were lying calmly on the couch or on their bed, I would get up and go to them bringing a small special treat.
To this day, Lily will often sit quietly on the couch while we’re eating dinner. She knows she just has to chill and the goodness will come to her. If you like a calm dog who is not underfoot this is a great lesson to teach them!
This is such a fun thing to do. I love to surprise my animals with a treat when they are not expecting it, when they are just relaxing in their favorite places (beds, crates etc.).
It lets them know that I’m thinking about them even when they aren’t right there–even when they are just relaxing.
Just chilling has its own rewards and that’s a powerful, powerful lesson.
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