If Your Dog Could Talk
If your dog could talk, what would be the one cherished memory he would tell you? What would be the one thing he would thank you for? Does your dog have a favorite activity? If he could talk, how would he describe the joy he feels towards said activity?
Our dogs cannot talk, our language is not compatible with theirs, but body language doesn't lie. As a dog trainer, I'm in a position to change or improve a dog's behavior. I start by asking myself, "If he could talk, what would he say about that particular behavior his owner is complaining about? How did it start? Why did it start?" Because I am not able to go into the dog's mind or have a conversation with it, I go back to my experience, my assessment of the situation, and my understanding of general behavior motivators. My question is always, "Why is he doing that?"
To close, I will leave you with this advice. When your dog does something you like, and he does it with gusto, ask yourself, "Why does he do that?" Similarly, your dog does something you really dislike, ask yourself, "Why does he do that?" You may not come up with answers at all, but the very act of asking "why" will put you in a better position to understand what motivates him to do the things you like, and what motivates him to do the things you can't stand. When you understand the motivators, you can motivate him to do more of the things he likes.