“Welcome to my world, fellow creature!” – Fido

As a dog trainer, one of the first questions I ask of newly minted dog owners is what kind of life they are planning for their canine companion.

In suburban MetroWest, many dogs have a hopeful future as “go-everywhere dogs,” accompanying their owners to soccer games,  coffee houses and breweries.  Other fortunate hounds have landed in the arms of soon-to-be-retirees, who have learned that dogs really are best friends. One of my clients is a retired mechanic, and his only wish is to have his dog by his side as he tends to his grown children’s cars (lucky kids)!

I love working with these dogs and clients. The approach is simple and effective. See the soccer ball? Yay! Here is a cookie! Want to come into the garage to eat your dinner next to this vintage Saab! What do you know! The dog has great taste in cars and loves Saabs!  Crazy!!!

After we are well on our way to creating 4-legged soccer and car aficionados, I ask my clients, “Now… If your dog could talk, what would they like you to love?” Imagine your dog laying down $100 bills next to rotting carcasses, muddy streams, or taping them to panicked squirrels, racing to the nearest tree! Counterconditioning (pairing things that one loves next to something that needs to gain greater acceptance) works for all creatures. 

While your dog is not likely to head to the closest ATM to withdraw a few Benjamin Franklins, they probably would like you step into their world and become a better fellow creature. Becoming a fellow creature for your dog is awesome. No, it will not necessarily give your dog a snappier sit or a 60-MPH recall, but it will fortify the relationship of trust and reciprocity which you share with your very good friend.

How do you do it? Start with play and interest! Run over to that patch of dirt your dog is sniffing and figure out what is so interesting about it! Maybe look inside a rotting log, and show your dog what you see?  Roll a ball on the ground and run after it, until you and your dog are each racing to it!! Take one of those fuzzy squeaky toys that has been lying around and pretend that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread, holding it carefully in your arms and zigzagging away from your dog as you rapidly pulsate the squeaker.

This is all PLAY. Keep it fun and unstructured. If your dog gets too rowdy, just slow down the pace and volume. Stay with it longer that you think you should. Do it at a time of day when your dog is most energetic and open. For us, this time is right after our morning walk.

Once your dog is ecstatic with his new super cool and fun friend (yes, this is you!) you can start introducing a few rules. After you let him beat you to the ball, quickly run away from him. He will likely pursue you with the ball in his mouth. You are now on your way to developing a game of fetch, a wonderful cooperative game that will make him more eager to work with and learn from you.

Once he loves pulling that fuzzy toy away from you, release some pressure from it. When he releases pressure too (give it a few tries, he probably will), say “YES!!!” in a happy voice and restart your game of tug. Tug is an amazing competitive game, where you and your dog are like boxers in the ring, but  you will earn the privilege to call the rounds. 

Sniffing around old logs could lead to sniffing to find treats. This can evolve to sniffing around for a specific scent. WOW, now you have a future bomb-sniffing or medical alert dog! Well, maybe not quite, but your dog will still love the game.

Our dogs are amazing at fitting into our world, which is becoming more difficult as our lives become increasingly cerebral and less physical. Be a great fellow creature and join your dog in the things and activities that he loves. You can evolve this play to a game. Now you are happily taking turns, following rules, competing, and collaborating with an entirely different species.

How cool is that?