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Writer's pictureHannah Parrett

Rewards and motivators.

The easiest way to nurture a rewarding relationship with any animal is to work out what it is they need, want, enjoy and like and use those things to enhance special behaviours we want to see more of. Interestingly, once you have sussed out what your animal loves, if you withhold those things at particular times, your animal should work out you weren't massively keen on whatever they just did. Personally I prefer more clarity of communication and use the word no with all of the animals I live with. Some people prefer not to - I find it a much quicker and more reliable way to take animals out into society, so highly recommend it.

But that's not the point of this post! The point is - how do we say YES!?


The science of animal behaviour often becomes bogged down in semantics and philosophical questions, which is fun (in the right company!) in the pub, but not massively useful in the real world. I'm mainly concerned with what drives a dog or a horse in the real world and this is what we'll look at here. We won't delve into the animal learning theory as that's a good way to lose valuable information into a labyrinth and there's plenty of it out on the web.


SO. What does a dog want? Well, it depends.....on the dog, his nature, what he's learned, and the circumstance. Here's an average scenario:


A tame dog, raised in the company of people. About two years old, neutered.

Besides his physiological requirements - (which will depend on the amount of exercise he does, his body condition and coat style, and we will assume have been met ahead of time), this dog will want and will work to get:


Walks: to investigate the world, find stink, roll in stink, eat stink, be happy about stink (the worst stink I ever was a party to was rotten fish on the beach courtesy of my border terrier who rolled in it). It was very very bad. To exercise yes, but mainly mental stimulation.

The best, very best form of walking for a dog is to trot along tracks for as many miles as his person is capable of. I have heard a few people saying the need to walk has been bred out of some lap dogs. Nothing NOTHING is further from the truth.

Small dogs are generally the most angry because they have vital, unmet needs.


Play with other dogs: This is an essential behaviour, the requirement of which should not be underestimated. Ensuring companion dogs have mates they can play with is as important is it is for kids.


To be right: Dogs LOVE being right and having family members being excited about something they did. At the lower end of the scale, a feeling of general harmony is very very rewarding.


Physical rewards from their human family:

Touch, words, body orientation towards them, joining in a task their person is doing. The highest reward the current dog can receive is loving touch from their peoples hands, eyes on them and our body orientated towards them.

This is why dogs whose people are frantically flapping about at the waters edge, screaming at their dog to get out, carry on splashing about having a right old time. They are being rewarded with all of the above - focus, eyes AND words!

In their head their human is SO HAPPY with what they're doing and they should keep going for DAYS!!!


Completing a task with their person:

Dogs that know their job find their job very rewarding. They will try and help with all sorts of tasks and anything that is allowed will be repeated - digging, fetching, carrying, all sorts of household tasks will be enthusiastically carried out.


Earning a release:

A really good example of this is out on a walk, being called back and then being released again to 'go play'. Once your dog understands 'go play' or 'off you go', it is the only ONLY reward you'll need to have the best recall. Dogs actually really come back extra, to earn an extra release. They truly are junkies for this reward. Its absolute GOLD. MUCH more valuable than food.


Learning the skill of 'find your person' whilst out walking:

This is a really easy present you can give your dog. If you're unpredictable in your direction, and quiet, your dog will work super hard to a) keep an eye on you and b) find you if you hide. You need no other reward - finding you is absolutely reward enough. Truly self rewarding. He carried out a task, he achieved its objective, his dogness was given a test which he excelled at, he is KING dog!

NB If you are a little bit pleased at this point AND give him a 'go play', he'll have a special proud bounce to his walk for a while after, and a goofy grin :)


What about timid dogs?


Motivators and rewards will be different for more timid or feral dogs until they have learned to trust their people and hopefully all people.


Eye contact and focus from people:

This will be very intimidating for timid dogs who will likely nip if cornered. Your reward for these dogs is to look away, soften your eyes, turn your head away, move away, turn around and give them your back, or walk away completely.


It's hugely important and often overlooked that eye contact and focus is not rewarding for all dogs.


Most if not all dogs, prefer to have a spot in the house they can go to where they know with 100% certainty they will be left alone. If they aren't given one, they'll probably make one themselves.

You can own this spot by teaching them to 'go to bed' and using that as a place to send your dog to, to get him out of trouble.

It can be used to interrupt ANY behaviour and is another thing that is absolute gold. Once they understand the words 'go to bed', and AND they are left alone completely (no eyes, no talking, no touching) 100% of the time, they will use it from choice as their happy, safe place. Dogs with a happy place are more content, more behaviourally balanced, able to relax more readily, less likely to suffer from separation issues, and generally are easier to have around. If you only teach your dog two things, let them be to come back, and to go to bed :)


To close - I didn't include food or treats. For me, food and treats are pretty low down on the list of important stuff for dogs, but if you are having any trouble with recall, shove salami in both pockets. Your dog will be all over you like a cheap suit.




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