I think we should collectively agree about something. Here it is; relationships are not actually the way they are portrayed in the movies. If you attempt to smack your significant other across the face during an argument, don’t count on it ending up in some mushy romantic scene on the closest sofa. Likewise, while playing a game of touch football the chances are slim that you will somehow get tangled up with some gorgeous guy that you’ve never met before and have him end up on top of you staring longingly into your eyes before he helps you to your feet. Slim chances I say.
Got it?
Likewise, dogs don’t arrive into people’s homes understanding full sentences of English and having a built-in desire to do exactly what every member of the family wants him to do.
That also is fiction.
The kind of fiction that is reserved for animated cartoons and 2 hour Disney movies. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t have our happily ever after with our dogs.
Today I’m going to share with you how it can happen… even with the dog you currently own. Even if you think your dog is “stubborn” or “stupid” or “lazy.”
It all comes down to recognizing and utilizing what your dog “values”.
That is, what he LOVES more than anything else in the world. The BEST training (in my books that is training without the physical or mental intimidation of the dog) … the best training takes the value of what the dog loves most of all and transfers it into whatever it is you want.
In this video I am teaching a group of students how to effectively transfer the value of something your dog loves into the dog LOVING his crate.
Transfer of value is what is missing in many dog training programs. Some rely on “luring” the dog…having the dog follow a tidbit of food or a favourite toy in order to get the dog to do something. The fallout of that is the value stays with the food or toy. When the dog realizes you don’t have it… he is far less likely to comply with your wishes.
That’s where the next methodology of training comes in and students are told to “make” the dog do what you want. We are bigger, stronger and smarter so we should be able to do that right? Of course we “can”…but that doesn’t make it the right choice for the dog’s education or well being.
Effective dog training should be filled with joy for both the dog and the student. It’s about balancing “values” and transferring it where you need it. As my mentor Bob Bailey has often said, good training is simple…but it isn’t always easy.
In the video above I used Crate Games as model for explaining transfer of value. We now have Crate Games available online due to popular request.
Today I am grateful for Simona, Lynda, Sharon, Lisa, Phil, Khorshed and Joy from team Say Yes, for giving our blog a much needed and long overdue facelift! Lovely to have a fresh look with brand new functionality!
Love the reminder 🤗
Love how you don’t pull any punches when sharing such pertinent information ❣️
Really enjoying crate games. I bought into it to help a new acquaintance with her puppy service animal candidate. Phoenix and I never trained great games as a package deal because I lived in an RV and had no location to train it properly. With finally being exposed to create games & hindsight being 20/20 I wish I had found a way years earlier.
There was/is a video of Susan explaining the transfer of value that I cannot find anymore. I’m sure it was in the agility hall and there was no white board involved. She was phisically walking and explaining where the value was transfering to. It was such a clear explaination, but I have never been able to find the video again. Please help, if you could point me in the right direction I’d be extrememly grateful!
Sending all my dog clients that need training since I am unable to at this time.
So they can know the value in choice based training!
♥️ You Susan
I understand this concept more and more as I train more. Thank you for all you do to educate us!
God bless you, I LOVE the joy. NO dog is bad. They just want love. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
I have Ruff Love and have gained so much from reading it! I revisit your blog on a regular basis because there are so many dog training snippets of wisdom to glean from reading it. Your work has helped me immeasurably in my work as a professional dog trainer and I just can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for the human and dog relationship. You’re the best!!!!
Thanks ! That I need to learn!
I agree, only those techniques that are based on a positive and dog centered approach are effective.
I want to sign up for your newsletter, but the Web page will not link to the sign up?.???
Hi Debbie, we have just tested and it all seems to be working. Maybe refresh and try again? If write to us at [email protected] we are happy to help.
Thanks for another brilliant blog! Love the new look of your site!
So interesting as always, thank you! I have a question though: what if my dog’s A+ is the sheep itself and there is barely any reward that can compare to that? How do I transfer the value in this case?
Love Love the facelift…..awesome
OMG this subject is definitely KEY.
Thanks for the great blog as this one I find definitely challenging taking it to the ring of obedience and get MY head out of getting them to do a particular on demand behaviour vs creating a GAME of it……and as everyone knows IF I DON’T BELIEVE IN THE FUN OF IT, my dog sure isn’t going to!
Thankyou Susan for all your incredible DOG TRAINING insight.
Hi all am still trying out things apart from food that bonds Toss with me .He isn’t ball oriented or interested in chasing ,more interested in people and Koalas !
Thanks for this blog Susan!
Hi, love the new blog.
Thanks for the gem. Have been working with your
gems for 6 months now and the improvement is super.
Cheers Belinda
Great video – making me think about value & making my dog want to be with me for everything.
This may be long but I have a problem that is getting more confusing. I have a wonderful rescue Austrian Shepard Mini that is perfect except he barks at the neighbors on other side of fence, barks at animals on tv, people walking by house if I leave shades open, which I rarely do for him and me. Just found out high value treats when barking isn’t the answer. Ok what now? Help.
A big round of applause to you and the team for this “fantabulous” blog makeover!
Also of note: Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler being amongst my favorite fiction characters, for many reasons, good and bad… you literally made my day! 🙂
WOW! is my word for the new digs. How in the world do you amazing people come up with these? My partner tells me he will set up my new website soon. Everything you do is so creative and just plain excellent! I took a couple of short online courses with another well known excellent positive trainer but the camera work, the audio and the layouts were pathetic compared with what you people do. Thank you!
Aaaah, thank you! The Say Yes team is filled with talented, dedicated creatives. We all benefit from their brilliance!
The new look is fab! Thanks for another way station on the transfer of value journey.
Great fresh new look ,thanks for all you teach us
Great blog… and new smart layout. Thank you.
Love your new site is another example of the wonderful team work at Say Yes. Also love how you always highlight that joy is a critical piece of the puzzle in all learning… and in our cases we AND our dogs need to have joy…. and then we can strategically take that and utilise it to build more joy….
Thanks Cath!
Thanks for the gem. Love the new blog. Much easier to read. ❤
We are always looking for that Newer, Bigger & Better in our training. Sometimes it is best to get back to the basics that makes it all work. Thanks Susan for the re-focus on transfer of value.
Great new digs! Transfer of value is something I struggle with….simple is not always easy.
Great blog.
Transfer of value is something I have trouble with as well
I am confused as to how to do this. I must be stupid but I have watched and listened to this concept a few times and I don’t get it. Must be a mental block, senior moment. I am 79 and have 2 dogs
One 10 trained in obedience and agility but never very interested in either, liked the treats though. Second one 4 has done little agility I taught her each station one at a time and a friend runs her over the whole course but y she is slow 72 andy dog keeps looking for me. I am on a wheelie walker so can’t do much
Thankyou Susan
Love the new site. Even more love the message. Thank you for hammering home that the end result will be no better than what you start with.
Hey – you remodeled the place and it looks fabulous 🙂 Also – Transfer of Value is a gem!
Love the new look! Had to do a double-take. thank you for yet another fabulous blog!