Do
you know what motivates your pet to perform behaviors? It’s valuable
knowledge that can help you stimulate more enthusiasm and faster responses.
What is a high-value and low-value reward?
Rewards
are not created equal. Your dog might turn her nose up at boring old
kibble but turn somersaults for cheese. Or maybe she’s got a preference
for Limburger as opposed to Kraft Singles.
Some
dogs will happily chow down on what you hand them, no matter what it is. Kibble?
Great! Liver? Great!
Piece of parsley? I can eat it!
Others might eat two or three kibbles and “I’ve had three pieces and I
just can’t eat another bite…”.
And,
of course, there are the dogs who would rather chase a ball than eat, so you
should take that into consideration – if it’s something your dog loves, it can
be used to shape their behavior.
You
want to know what motivates your dog and for how long.
High-value Behaviors
You
want your dog to stand quietly while she’s being brushed? Make it worth her
while. No, REALLY worth her while. Once you know the ultimate joys
for her, you can keep those reserved for the crucial all-important behaviors.
If she likes chicken nuggets over all the available food upon the earth, make
those the reward for standing quietly.
You’ll need to extend the time standing gradually, but you will
eventually teach her that doing nothing brings great rewards.
Fear
and aggression can be addressed in the same way (to a point; a qualified behaviorist
is definitely recommended). Make the object of fear or aggression into
something wonderful. Oh, look, there’s the slicker brush.
Surprise! The best treat ever! A buzzing clipper?
Surprise! You like liver, right? Here’s liver! Scads of it!