It’s been awhile since I’ve written – did you miss me? I have been very busy since the last time I wrote because my mom is currently studying at Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior (VSA). Mom admires Victoria for her advocacy of modern dog training methods which are based on scientific research that reveals how dogs learn. This research helps humans understand how to teach us most effectively so that we want to learn and have fun while we are learning! I don’t know about you, but when I am having fun doing something, I remember it better & want to do it again!
The other method of dog training doesn’t sound like fun at all. That method teaches the human to use painful corrections when we do something wrong, but the thing is they don’t even show us first what they want us to do! Instead, they just let us guess what they want and if we guess wrong, they do things to us that cause us pain. That doesn’t even sound fair.
I really like the dog training techniques mom is learning – you know why?
IT INVOLVES TREATS!
Each day when it’s time for me to eat, mom sets part of my food aside for playing games with me. When we’re playing a game and I figure out what mom is looking for me to do, she gives me a piece of the food that is left from my meal! That way I won’t get too fat, and I get so excited because I love food and I try to figure out what she wants me to do next. Before mom started at VSA, she and I had already formed a great relationship – after all, she rescued me from the shelter, and she helped me understand what was expected of me in her household so that I wouldn’t get in trouble. Now the games I get to play with her make it even more fun to be with her:) You should see me following her everywhere she goes!
I wonder what we’re going to play today? Come back to find out…maybe you’ll want to teach it to your dog! I’ll bet he or she would have fun learning just like I do!
Here’s a picture of mom and Victoria from the last time she went to see her. Maybe one day I will get to meet Victoria too! I’m sure I would love her just as much as mom does!
If you live in the Louisville, KY area, mom would love to help you create an amazing relationship with your dog. You can learn all about what she teaches here at The Life of Riley.