How to get your dog to listen to you...
Dog Training Expert, Jody Karow CTC, explains how to motivate your dog to learn all the behaviors that will make life better together.
Having a hard time keeping your pup’s attention while you’re doing a training session? You need all the tools in how to motivate your dog. You’ve probably got one of these two problems!
1. Your rate of reinforcement is too low. What does that mean? It means that you aren’t rewarding your dog often enough! If your dog is waiting for long periods of time between rewards, he may get bored and decide that doing so much work isn’t worth it anymore. We can’t blame ’em!
Fix this problem by training faster. The more “reps” you can do, the faster your pup gets paid. If you can’t move any faster because your dog is slow, drop down to an easier level or sprinkle in some easy tasks to get the treats flowing again. THEN you can go back and ask for the more challenging behavior again. If your dog is constantly winning, he’s not going to wanna stop training with you!
2. Your treats suck. Would you do your job for half the salary? 
Probably not! Your dog isn’t stupid, and he doesn’t want to work for rewards that he feels aren’t worthy of his effort. Some dogs will enthusiastically work for kibble, while other dogs are only motivated by the creme de la creme. If your rewards or treats aren’t motivating, there ain’t gonna be a lot of learning happening!
Probably not! Your dog isn’t stupid, and he doesn’t want to work for rewards that he feels aren’t worthy of his effort. Some dogs will enthusiastically work for kibble, while other dogs are only motivated by the creme de la creme. If your rewards or treats aren’t motivating, there ain’t gonna be a lot of learning happening!Fix this problem by tailoring your rewards to each training session. If you’re asking for a deep focus on a difficult task, bring out the top tier treats! If you’re training in your living room and your pup has nothing better to do, he might do just fine working for kibble.
Your pup may work for toys, or he may not. Know your dog, and don’t hesitate to “upgrade” your rewards if your dog isn’t enthusiastic. Find what motivates your dog, and use it! 
Dialing into the Goldilocks Zone is your sure-fire path in how to motivate your dog.
When teaching new behaviors, we want you to channel your inner Goldilocks to find that perfect rate of reinforcement – not too light, not too heavy… jussst right!
Aim for 10-12 reinforcements per minute during early learning of new behaviors to avoid frustration. Dogs are like kids: when the game gets too hard, they quit! By keeping your rate around 10-12 rewards per minute or once every 5-6 seconds, the game is still fun for your pup and you can power through lots of learning in a short amount of time.
If Fido starts to struggle and that rate of reinforcement dips too low, be sure to drop back to an easier step to get back into that perfect Goldilocks zone. We know it feels frustrating to go backwards a step in training, but after a few of those easier reps your dog is usually ready to bump back up to their previously frustrating level with renewed enthusiasm.
The next time you’re training, we encourage you to think hard about your rate of reinforcement… Are YOU training in the Goldilocks zone? We (and your dog!) sure hope so!
Join us and learn so much more, as we have so much we want to teach you. The Go Anywhere Dog Puppy & Me Classes are held in South Minneapolis and are filled with loads of fun for both humans and dogs.
