Dogs On Repeat

So I ignore?
No, but you’re ignoring exactly what you DO want.

Excitement gets a lot of attention sometimes.
Insistent behaviour gets responses from us.
Barking?
That usually gets an immediate response because it’s louder.

Over time, some dogs start learning “Bigger behaviour works better.”
Because to them, it can.

This is where ignoring comes into it.

Have you been ignoring the best bits your dog shows you?

We focus so much on what we well and truly know we don’t want, and yet when they show us what we want?
We ignore it.
We don’t even notice it.
We don’t mean to but it’s a habit we are now cycling around in.

We’re focused SO much on stopping the behaviour we don’t want, that we let those tiny slivers of stillness, position, or engagement just slip away.

They are THE moments.

We need to open our eyes more.
They will be showing you what you actually want more of.

It may not be in the context we need it to be in yet, but it will be there.

Mark it.

Reward it.

But above all else, don’t ignore those precious wee moments when they DO show you exactly what you want.