The situation that follows is a common scene for me, and it illustrates how I perceive the moments in a training session to be grouped in a dog's mind:
"Ready Tsu? Place, Heel, Through..Good, Gooood, Good haha good, good, good, YES!"
- WOOHOO YEAH There you go Tsu! GOOD GIRL!
2 heart beat's of Silence and Stillness
"Alright, READY? "Place".. Goooood...Front...Gooood....Heel....Gooood heel, good heel, YES"
- WOOHOO YEAH THERE YOU GO! ATTA GIRL TSU!
Silence and Stillness.
"Ready Place, Go out, Tunnel, Down, Here, Down, YES!"
There is a separation between one behavior chain and another that is characterized by my body language, based on the pitch and intensity of my voice, and my movements or lack thereof.
Voice
- Softer when trying to maintain low energy (as in a Stay) or in general obedience when the behavior is not quite perfect, but you still want to give them the reward.
- Louder (without scaring the dog) can translate to higher value by making the game more exciting for the dog. Louder and higher pitch when the behavior is closer to perfect.
- Pitch is also important to vary because it makes you more interesting and engaging rather than a monotone Joan. If you're uncomfortable making crazy noises in front of other people, get over it, and focus on the dog, because the dog will love it. You'll capture and maintain their attention. Put on your People Blinders.
Movement
- Move AWAY from your dog. Move AWAY from your dog. Move AWAY from your dog. It will draw them to you. Reward them when they come to you! If you're just starting MARK the moment they turn around to look at you and gently jog away with their treats delivering them at your side when they get to you.
- If you run AT your dog when they have a toy, they will run AWAY from YOU, and there's a good chance you will have just started down the road of Toy Possession Issues. ie: The dreaded "Keep away."