Comments on: What Motivates Your Dog?

By: Leslie

Leslie — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:49:11 +0000

This is so important for all of us to remember. It doesn’t matter what motivates your dog so much as *knowing* the what. We’ve discussed ‘high’ value treats with our trainers extensively because Bella will not ‘perform’ for just anything. If we want her to overcome fear, if we want to change her feelings, the reward has to be a very powerful motivator to compete with such very powerful instincts.

What a delight it must be to have found Cherie’s secret. I used to joke that I never had to teach Beau to ‘come’ because he was never ‘away’. I wish Bella’s secret was as inexpensive as a snuggle. 😉

By: 2 brown dawgs

2 brown dawgs — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:18:32 +0000

Cherie sounds like a great dog. Good for you for finding what motivates her. You are doing a great job with her.

By: Pup Fan

Pup Fan — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:05:30 +0000

So sweet… I love that Cherie is motivated by, well, love. 🙂

By: The Lady

The Lady — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:43:44 +0000

With Bella, motivation is a constantly moving target. LOL

With Daisy, its easy. Food please!

By: Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner

Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:12:22 +0000

I don’t think Gretel is motivated by anything but food. She may be motivated by Kissees and affection but I wouldn’t know it because she gets those things 24-7 🙂

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 04:09:55 +0000

Cali is all about the food!! We never did figure out what made little Kobe click 🙂 He was quite the little lover, but it really didn’t help getting him to sit, or look at us when we said his name!

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 02:34:14 +0000

Sherman works for food and I am still trying to figure out what Leroy works for., he isn’t food motivated or toy motivated. He likes a nice good chest rub though!

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:09:33 +0000

Ha! Blue works for food — until you try to correct something, like getting her to sit straight. Then she just quits. Bunny really works for praise, but she expects to be paid in treats, too, just because. Morgan is still a mystery, sometimes it’s treats, sometimes it’s toys, sometimes nothing appeals to her. Kuster will work for treats, toys and praise! lol

By: KenzoHW

KenzoHW — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:01:34 +0000

Amazing. There are not many of those around. At least, from the dogs I have met. What a special dog she is, and a dog lover’s dream, we all want a dog that would work for affection.

By: Donna and the Dogs

Donna and the Dogs — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 22:15:36 +0000

How nice that Cherie will come just for the promise of a scratch.
Toby is my foodie. You can drop a dried up piece of carrot and Toby’s there. He’ll also work for toys. Any toy. Praise…? Affection? Nope. He could care less.

Leah prefers to work for her favorite squeak toy (which is actually the ONLY toy she will touch). Second to that would be some meat. Leah isn’t fond of physical affection (or vegetables) but she will work for praise. She has always been naturally obedient so I’ve never really needed to motivate her much.

If Meadow ISN’T frightened – food, praise, affection, hugs, (yes, a dog who LIKES hugs), toys – she’ll take it all. But the moment she is scared, she won’t work for much, she pretty much shuts down and the only thing that will recharge her is removing her from the situation for a while.