During these long winter months, we tend to get lazy with ourselves and our pets. Max, my terrier and I did not do many activities during these busy months and we both gained weight! We just started back in agility training at the Seattle Humane Society. These trainings are strictly treat motivated and full of positive reinforcement. Over and over, under the watchful eye of our trainer, Ali Johnson, we worked to encourage certain behaviors such as, “Max, sit and wait” or “Touch and stay” after he completed the Dog Walk plank. Both of us were soon engaged in doing something right and getting a reward that it became a fast-paced game. The more I praised and treated, the more Max wanted to perform and really work hard to get his pay.
We really worked to hone those skills which Max already knew but was rusty due to lack of follow-up and reinforcement.
We humans mean well, but we get caught up in our own busy schedule and the daily routine can very quickly become, “Hello Max”, “Good by Max” and a periodic pat on his head.
I could tell how much he appreciated me carving out a special time dedicated to just the two of us and my attention focused 100% on building our relationship and building his skills at the same time.
I believe in the Kaizen principle of “Life-long learning” and it is no different for our pets. They need life-long learning as well where they feel appreciated and feel like they are “really working” to get their pay. Continue to train your pets and you will notice their self-esteem shoot up like never before!
As always, my request to all great dog owners... Please don't forget that there are thousands of animals out there who are not as fortunate as our own dogs who are so well taken care of.
Please support animal welfare organizations such as the Seattle Humane Society, Paws, Pasado's Safe Haven, Ginger's Pet Rescue, Seattle Animal Shelter and many others who are working to find good homes for the unwanted animals. Animals have no voice, so speak for them!
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