Successful dog trainers know the power of rewards. They know to be consistent. And they know dogs are always learning.
But few put all this together to realize the big secret that every dog trainer needs to know–you can use your habits to train your dog.
Your Habits Train Your Dogs
Dog training books and websites focus on what you as the trainer do with your dog.
If you want to train a new behavior, you catch your dog doing it and offer her a reward. Or you lure him into a behavior and reward him for doing it.
Training is an active process. Right?
Except it often isn’t.
In fact, your habits train your dogs when you’re not even thinking about it. Need an example?
Training Your Dog To Be Anxious
Have you lived with a dog suffering from separation anxiety?
You’ve probably seen your dog acting anxious as you comb your hair, grab your phone, and jingle your keys on the way out the door.
Your dog has learned your habits when you’re preparing to leave. And she associates your actions with leaving her alone in the house.
In fact, common advice for coping with separation anxiety is to grab your purse or keys and then not leave to break the association with anxiety.
When we had two anxious dogs, Agatha and Christie, I even climbed out the window a few times so they couldn’t ramp up their anxiety as I approached the front door.
You can probably think of other ways your habits affect your dogs’ behavior. But can our habits train positive behavior as well?
Honey Learns to Sail
Because of our habits in the boat, Honey has taught herself a new behavior that makes her a better sailing dog.
I thought she was smart as she moved around the cockpit following the shade. But when I saw her do this, I was really impressed.
A Little Aside About Sailing
For those of you who don’t sail, I’d like to give you some context to help you understand what Honey has taught herself by paying attention to our habits.
Those of you who do sail, can skip so the next section.
Okay, here we go.
Under motor, our boat pushes through the water horizontally.
But when the sails are up, the boat tilts to the side (or heels) at varying angles, depending on the wind. In high winds, we might heel enough to slide off our seats. If we want to sit on the “high” side of the boat, we have to brace our legs.
Of course, Honey’s legs are too short to brace against the other seat. So she’s better off lying on the low side of the boat, snug against the high coaming of the cockpit.
When the wind is coming over the left (port) side of the boat and blowing the sails out to the right (starboard), we’re on what’s called a port tack.
And when the wind is coming over the right side of the boat, we’re on a starboard tack.
To go in the same direction that the wind is coming from, we need to zig zag a course back and forth across the wind. First on a port tack and then on a starboard tack.
And each time we tack (or move across the wind), the boat heels in a new direction.
Okay, now we’re all caught up. Sailors, you can join us again.
Honey Prepares To Tack
On the boat, we have lots of little checklists and rituals to keep us organized and communicating well.
And we do them every time.
Before we start the engine, we call out a list of items to check before pushing the starter. Docking, the helms person calls out when they’re shifting into neutral or reverse so the person handling dock lines can predict the speed of the boat.
And when we need to change directions, the helms person calls out “prepare to tack.” That’s the signal that the person handling the sails needs to prepare the sail control lines on the other side.
The sail handler replies “Ready” when they’re done and the helms person steers the boat across the wind while saying, “Helms a lee.”
It’s a habit.
The only thing that kept a tack from proceeding easily was when the person on the helm had to guide Honey by her life jacket handle to the new, lower side of the boat while steering at the same time.
But after hearing it over and over, Honey taught herself to start moving to the other side of the boat when she hears someone order, “Prepare to tack.”
By the time we’ve crossed the wind and are heeling on the new tack, Honey is comfortably ensconced on the other seat.
Good girl, Honey. Good girl.
Use Your Habits To Train Your Dog
What does all this mean for you? After all, you may never sail with your dog.
But the dog training secret of the power of habits applies to everyone. If you want to train your dog, be aware of your habits so your dog can train himself.
Here are a few habits you can take up for yourself to make you a successful dog trainer.
Put food morsels aside on the counter when you’re cooking.
Do you get tired of your dog mooching under foot when you’re cooking? Put aside a few chopped vegetables, cheese, or meat on the corner of your cutting board just for your dog. When he lies down away from your work area, toss him a treat.
If your habits have already trained your dog to stand by your feet waiting for “drops,” you may need to stack the deck by placing a tasty morsel on his pillow before you start cooking and quickly tossing more to him ONLY when he’s in his place.
But if you have good habits, it won’t be long before your smart dog trains himself to sit quietly while you’re cooking.
People used to marvel at how Honey laid quietly on her bed when I was cooking. They never realized she was actually begging. And that I was regularly tossing food to her on her pillow.
Play with your dog’s paws while you’re relaxing.
Am I the only person who finds nail trimming stressful?
Luckily, Honey doesn’t mind me touching her paws. Probably because I massage and play with them when we’re sitting beside each other.
I even press her nails.
It’s so much of a habit after seven years, I barely think about it. And when I start clipping her nails, Honey barely blinks.
Streamline your leaving habits.
Honey does not suffer from separation anxiety. But she wants to know if she’ll be going with us when I start my leaving habits, like grabbing my purse or coming my hair.
So I’ve changed my habits. I get ready to leave in spurts and long before I have to leave.
I brush my hair then wash the dishes. I pack my backpack then do a little work. I grab my keys then read my book.
When it’s time to leave the boat without Honey, I simply grab my backpack and go without a fuss.
Honey barely looks up from where she’s sleeping.
Changing my habits keeps me from having to see her disappointed face when I spend ten minutes getting ready to leave and Honey spends ten minutes wondering if she’ll be going with me.
The Secret To Successful Dog Training
Every trainer with the name will tell you to reward your dog when she does something you want. They’ll tell you to be consistent in your training. And they’ll tell you that your dog is always learning from you.
But if you put this advice together and form good habits, you have discovered the secret to successful dog training.
Because your dog is watching. And learning. And if your habits are good enough, your dog might even start training herself.
Your Turn: Can you think of any habits around your home that have helped (or harmed) your dog training?
We are pleased to be joining the Positive Pet Training blog hop with Tenacious Little Terrier, Wag ‘N Woof Pets, and Travels with Barley. Pet bloggers, please join us in this hop by posting your positive pet training stories. The hop remains open through Sunday. The theme this month is “Training Secrets”, however, you may share any positive pet training story, whether it’s on our theme or not!
Beth
That’s interesting about the separation anxiety–every trainer I’ve worked with has said to keep the routine consistent so dogs can predict when you’re leaving. When I go to work, I brush my teeth, move my bag close to the door, and put on my shoes and before I even have my shoes on, both dogs are in their crates waiting for their treats because they know that’s the final part of the routine 🙂 Honey is such a smart girl! I’m always amazed at how well she’s adapted to life at sea!
Pamela
I had two dogs with severe separation anxiety who would ramp up their behavior as soon as they suspected I was leaving. To this day, I suspect my neighbors became crack addicts because of the stress caused by my dogs howling all day.
Basically, they were the anti-Barley and Rye–hence the attempt to sneak out without starting the anxiety reaction.
And yep, I’m astounded at all Honey has done. Hard to believe this is the same dog afraid to walk on a ramp. 🙂
Jan K
Great job, Honey! There are some really great tips here! Dogs are SO observant. I have two different routines on days I work outside the home and days I don’t; and the dogs know the difference. If I have to vary the routine, I try to break it up like you do, so they don’t get their hopes up that they might be going for a walk or out to play.
I like your kitchen tips too. I had Luke trained to stay out of the kitchen, but he’s been slacking lately (most likely due to the hubby!), so I can use those to get him back on track.
Pamela
I think we need a blog post on how to train the hubby. But I’m not sure what I’d have to say on the subject. 🙂
Jan K
Yup, I agree on both counts! 🙂
Shadow & Ducky's Mom
Some hubbies – like my own – are simply NOT trainable. Which is why I have to be hyper-vigilant when people food is involved. ?
Kelley
What a smart girl! I’m always amazed at how perceptive dogs are.
Pamela
I know! Isn’t it amazing that as well as we know them, they keep surprising us?
Blueberry's human
Ha – dogs are always so much better at reading us than we are at reading them.
I know for a while, Blueberry was unable to tell if I was going to be taking her with me when I was getting ready to leave – so I started doing one extra thing to clue her in so she knows to prepare herself.
Pamela
Good idea. I’ve started getting Honey’s leash out early to let her know she’s coming along.
Tails Around the Ranch
Honey is far more clever than I’d be on a sailboat (and thanks for the sailing lesson-clearly I’m destined to be a landlubber). I’ve used the get ready, postpone, deflect process of leaving the house too. Mostly unintentional since I can’t seem to get my processional act together. ?
Pamela
Don’t say you can’t get your act together. Just assume you’re an excellent dog trainer. 🙂
Emmadog
Normal daily routines are a wonderful way to train without training. Miss Madison is one of those don’t touch my paws kind of girls. Mom tries and tries but she just doesn’t like anyone touching her paws with, or without a clipper.
Pamela
Wow, nail trimming time must be very difficult with Madison. Hopefully she will become more comfortable having her paws handled as she grows up.
Jen Gabbard
Honey is such a smart girl. You’re so right about our own habits being important when it comes to training. Sure I’ve taught Laika some tricks, but so much of what she’s learned has been through her own observations and adapting her behavior accordingly.
Pamela
Dogs–being amazing for 10,000 years!
christycaplan (@christycaplan)
I love the whole concept of tossing treats only to your dog when he or she is in their place or on a mat. I’ve always had some issues with the mat behavior and this will really help Walter and Sherm. They are always right under me in the kitchen and I’m guilty of giving them snacks while they’re there so if I toss treats they’ll stay in the other room on their mats! Thank you!
Pamela
I can’t tell you how many people have complimented me on Honey’s behavior when I’m cooking. I just have to admit that she IS begging. She’s just doing it in a way I find acceptable. 🙂
Terra Toby
I think our biggest success not related to formal classes we took (there have been a lot) is that Toby isn’t afraid of thunder, fireworks, or other loud noises. We kept him out with us when we were in the gazebo watching storms and make a point to NEVER react ourselves to fireworks in the neighborhood (I think some dogs learn to be scared because they see their people make a fuss, even if only out of annoyance).
Our biggest failure: begging at the table. I’m going to try your strategy for that (I don’t mind him watching me cook, but standing at the table is a nuisance. It’s all our own fault too.)
Pamela
Helping Toby be comfortable with storms and fireworks is such a great victory. How great that your calmness have helped him be calm.
Good luck with the begging work. Let me know how it works out for you.
My Golden Life
Isn’t it amazing how well our dogs “read” us – and how poorly we sometimes “read” them – to the point where one little, subconscious habit on our part can clue them into our next move?
Pamela
There is no human on earth as attuned to human behavior as dogs. If they could talk, we’d have to make them heads of the FBI. 🙂
jan
I WANT EVERYONE OUT OF THE KITCHEN N0W works around here, but that was probably not the point you were making.
Pamela
Ha Ha! It’s obvious you don’t live with a golden retriever. It’s hard to get them to leave your side than it is to stop them from begging. 🙂
Sarcastic Dog
With two highly food motivated labs (with no real understanding of personal space) and a “tagalong” pit bull in the house, meal prep time is a constant chorus of “What are you doing in my kitchen?!?” I love the idea of tossing treats when they settle outside the kitchen! This is a habit I definitely want to get into!
Pamela
Can’t wait to read about how it goes! Good luck!
GROOVY GOLDENDOODLES
Talking!
I use words before leaving the house. Harley truly understands the word “Church” he will immediately lay down because he knows he’s not coming with me. “Work” he knows that’s a longer period of time than “Church” so he goes straight for his bed. Great article. Honey is one smart cookie!