You Like This? Really? The Magic Moment when Doubtful Dogs Join the Process

The huge puppy stood still. He looked at me; his inner wheels obviously turning. Slowly he sat, watching me carefully. As his rear lowered I grinned, as his rear touched the floor a stream of warm praise surged out, then I reached for the treat I knew he loved. Stroking him as I delivered a goodie, we lingered in that happy moment, then I stepped away.

He followed. I stopped. He did not run away (which he had been), he did not leap up at me (which he had been), he stopped and pondered me. He offered me another sit (faster this time), and I offered him more appreciation for that choice.

This time when I stepped away, he kept watching me but did not get up to follow. Instead, slowly, slowly with what I can only say is hope in his eyes, he lowered himself in to a down. WOW! Jackpot. Multiple treats with more soft stroking.

“What a great idea! Good dog. Good, good dog.”

He wasn’t wagging (yet), but I know he will be soon. When the thin thread of an idea thickens and strengthens into a sure thing; as he moves from “It seems like maybe she likes it when I do this, I think” to “I know EXACTLY what she likes; I LOVE this game!” he will start to wag.

We’ll get there soon.

This is one of my absolutely favorite moments in dog training. The moment when a doubtful dog begins to understand that communication is a two-way street and that choices he makes cause wonderful things to happen. That moment when the dog, who has been disconnected for whatever reason, says, “This is fun, I’m all in!” and joins the game!
 

by Sarah Wilson

Author of MySmartPuppy.com handbooks: My Smart Puppy (book with DVD) and Childproofing Your Dog