Last week we looked at understanding triggers. There are all sorts of triggers for your dog, good and bad. This week we are looking at good triggers that can be used to benefit your life with your dog to build YOU into your dog’s rewards. Remember that your dog’s rewards are determined by your dog, and are anything he gets reinforcement from. When you know what is rewarding for your dog, you can transfer the value of that reinforcement to you.
What is a Good Trigger?
An example with my own dogs is me putting on my shoes. The joy or value my dogs experience on walks or while working with me has been transferred into the action of me putting on a pair of shoes. The shoes now trigger something exciting is about to occur.
In my vlog on understanding triggers, I covered that you picking up your car keys might be a good trigger if your dog loves car rides. Just the sound of your keys jingling if your dog does not see you pick them up could also be a trigger. Triggers might be certain actions, sights, sounds, smells, words, gestures… and it is by observing your dog’s responses that you will get to know all the good triggers he has.
It’s Your Turn to be Sherlock Holmes
In my blog on “Effective Triggers and the Transfer of Value” I wrote that dogs are brilliant detectives and one of many great assets dogs have is their ability to figure out patterns of reinforcement. It’s now your turn to be that brilliant detective! You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes, pick a detective of your choice. When you are channelling your favourite detective, observe all the good triggers your dog has.
Keep a pen and paper handy or use notes on your phone to start your ‘good trigger’ list. When you notice your dog has an interested or excited response, all you need to do is record what immediately preceded that and also what the reinforcement is for him. Simple, right?
Here are some general ideas to get you started; when you begin noticing your dog’s good triggers you will find many.
Reinforcement: A winter walk.
Response: Excited pacing at door.
Trigger: Putting on snow shoes.
Reinforcement: Car ride.
Response: Run to the car door to hop in.
Trigger: Car Keys.
Reinforcement: Your attention.
Response: Jumping up and staring at you.
Trigger: The sound of your computer turning off.
Reinforcement: A game with you.
Response: Excited interest.
Trigger: The sound of Susan Garrett’s voice on TV (or from a computer, or phone or tablet). I put this one in because it always makes me smile as many of my online students report this as a good trigger. After watching a training session with me, it’s play time for them and their dog as our training is in the form of fun games.
Waiting on the stairs here is a powerful trigger that each dog gets an opportunity to work on the training field! The foundations of this are built with Crate Games.
Creating Your Own Positive Triggers
A positive trigger that I built for my dogs and that I’ve shown you in previous blog video is inhalation/exhalation … my breath sharply brought in and blown out triggers drive and excitement in my dogs. You could create this for yourself. In the example of a dog who loves car rides, take the sharp breath, and then pick up your car keys. It won’t be long before that breath is a positive trigger for your dog.
Another way to create a trigger is to repeat that trigger while the dog is in the act of doing something he LOVES. For example, if your dog loves tugging with you, say a word when playing tug to create a verbal trigger that is conditioned to the fun and drive your dog has for tugging.
Think for a moment what positive triggers you have that may currently have value for your dog. One I can think of is the word “r-e-a-d-y”. People say that word just before they do a restrained recall or send their dog to chase a ball, or bite a decoy sleeve. It is a great positive trigger but it is only one, there are hundreds to be had!
When I train my dog, I unconsciously use multiple triggers to keep my dog engaged with me into and out of work. When you create a new positive trigger, use it before fun interaction with you to build the value in that interaction into value for you! We always want our dogs to be in the optimal state for engagement with us, so there is fun and joy, and if you do a performance sport, this is vital as not only do we want our dogs to work, we want them to work with enthusiasm. The caveat with the positive triggers you create, is to use them appropriately. If your dog leaves work, don’t use a trigger to get him back as this is a sure way to diminish the power of a positive trigger or even poison it.
Today I am grateful that Tater-Salad had a play-date with a kindred spirit, Daisy, who visited us this week. As you can see in the photo below they are peas in a pod.
Daisy and Tater. Tater wore a bow tie for the occasion of their first play date.
Let us know in the comments all the good triggers for your dog that you detect and the positive triggers you create.
The sound of a rustling bag (precedes treat delivery), opening the refrigerator door (means food is coming out), harness on (means we’re going out), words “wanna play with me?” (means we’re gonna play a game, taking my phone to the recliner (means we’ll snuggle/they’ll get a massage/time for a chew), picking up the frisbee (means we’ll play Bring it! Outside), squeak a toy (means we’ll play)
After 10 days with our pup, we have already introduced and observed a number of positive triggers.
I have introduced Play alone toys and toys that are exclusively for joint play with me. One of them is a tug toy and when I say “tug it”, our Sabi gets excited. I say “Let’s play” before we start our play / training sessions and that is getting our girl excited, too. When I pick up the brush and comb she’ll walk to the mat where I groom her. And there are many more. I love how she is picking up up these things.
I have taught my dogs to look at me on command. Training requires attention. When I say look at me and I touch my nose they know something fun and rewarding is about to happen
The sound or sight of the collar and leash. My dogs don’t wear them at home, so me reaching for them and picking them up, means a walk, a training session or a car ride.
Funny one for my MAS. The sound of the toilet paper role. Quigley knows that I always throw a toy down the hall after I come out.
Lol, my dog does get excited when he hears Susan’s voice. XD So much so that I often need to use earphones!
Unfortunately there are negative triggers too, my daughter’s collie doesn’t like her chopping carrots. When the guinea pig starts making hungry noises he goes and hides. Shows how their minds work😍 my collie reacts to me closing my phone and ping of receiving messages, opening the training cupboard. Thanks for suggestions will make me more awaare
Picking up the clicker ,we are going to train, changing clothes and picking up purse they run to their crates, leash we are going for a walk and an instant sit occurs without a word , getting raw food container out of fridge they run to the laundry room where they are fed,
Another awesome blog. I’m trying to figure out ways to get Benji excited…like really excited since he’s really a chill dog unless someone is running or cycling in front of the Bay window. So far… the only thing that really gets him going is: Ready.. and when I start to count.. 1..2….means that we’re going to run around, and the other one is “I’m going to get you..” that really gets him going. I’m trying to understand the transfer of value from treats (toys are not yet rewarding for him, but most treats are and as a result, he has gained weight… which I’m trying very hard to find low calorie treats and I’ve started making my own from the Recallers recipe e-book).. to the value of ME. My main confusion is since we are mostly training new behaviours, I have to use high value treats but when do I start dwindling… I understand intermittent treating… but I’m scared to lose the behaviour I’m asking for. So basically how do I accomplish training good behaviour without treats? expecially because he is not toy motivated. I’ve rencently tried using more affection. Any suggestions will help. Thanks
Hi Diane,
I am having phenomenal success transferring value from treats to toys. I think what I am doing is in harmony with Susan Garrett’s approach. I started out by playing with the toy anytime my dog would engage but I kept it super short, like only a few seconds. I would click right when my dog was most enthusiastic about the toy and immediately offer him his highest food value treat. We are now up to playing with several toys and I think some of the sessions are maybe a minute long at this point.
As far as the weight gain what I am doing is decreasing my dogs meal ration when I use a substantial amount of treats in training.
If you’re on either one of the Facebook groups that’s continue chatting there.
I’ve been trying to build excitement for toys with my happy go lucky but overall chill hound mix too. She is very affectionate and very food driven but I have had a similar issue with associating the excitement of a meal with a toy. I have gotten her excited during sessions for a day or 2 with unique things (like a found turkey feather tied to the end of a long teaser) but am usually not able to sustain the excitement longer term. I think for us it is because we are also working on other behaviors that we are using high value treats for. After reading this again I’m thinking about playing with the toy (from recallers) and rather than feeding directly after slipping on my shoes and getting into the car which is also a positive trigger for her.
Such a good idea making a list. I shall keep adding to it because there must be many. A few of mine are, getting changed into walking gear & locking the back door, means we are going out. When I sit on the floor, it’s play time. I also ask the question, “Who wants to play?” A bad trigger we have is, a few months ago I used to hang the dogs lead behind the cellar door. Bruno must have an internal clock I’m sure he knows the time, so when it gets close to walk time he would bark at the cellar door. I’ve moved the lead months ago but he still barks at the cellar door. I don’t take him out when he barks, I just take him out of the room, but even so he is still getting me reacting to him. I wonder if you have a better idea of how to stop the bark.
Can you re cap then for the positive triggers? Do I have this correct, once you know the positive trigger you then use this for arousal in other areas of training.
My apology for dumb question. I find I get bogged down in all the explanations.
Thank you
Alumni since 2019 and loving it
My GS dog has an addiction to the hose and grab and drink it and then lay in her little pool 3 to 4 times a day. I can understand once a day but I cannot get anything done because of it. I need her to learn this is a reward and not a habit. ANY HELP you can give is SO appreciated as it is ruling my life at this point.
My cat, Mister, likes his “sprinkies” (freeze-dried chicken bits). These are dispensed just before doggo and I take our long morning walk. The crinkle of the “sprinkies bag” is the cue for a treat and a stroll. Both boys appear together. One for his treat and the other for “mama escort”’cause the mama never walks alone!
My old sheltie had 2 strong triggers that turned into treat opportunities. Turning the water on high in the kitchen sink would send him running to sit by me as I finished the dishes – because this meant that I was about to run the garbage disposal. If he was sitting quietly- he got treats. Also – any time I stood on a stool, the chair, ladder – would also make him run to sit next to me, because I might be about ready to test the smoke detector/replace the battery- which I did twice a year. If he stayed quiet- treat time.
When my dog hears the click of my reading glasses as I close them to set them down, she is alert as it may indicate that ‘quiet time’ may be over and ‘play time’ may begin. As a verbal cue that we are going to ‘work’, I say ‘Are you ready’ and her ears prick up and her eyes light up in anticipation of whatever is next to come
The click of the remote to shut off TV. She is up the stairs for bed before we have stood up
This really got my wheels turning. I’ve started my list. Here it is so far.
Trigger 1. Me brushing hair and teeth, time to go to work
2. This one has 3 triggers all recognized by Bella. Picking up fly swatter,looking out window or me smacking window. All lead to killing flies with Mom. 3. Opening veg drawer of fridge. If I’m a good girl and go to my rug Mom will give me carrots. 4. Strapping on treat bag = games with Mom.
It makes a lot of sense how you said that you can make hundreds of trigger words for your animal if you need to. We are planning on buying a puppy in the near future and we want to be sure that they are going to behave. My wife and I will have to be sure to take the dog to training so we can develop some of those trigger words to ensure that they are well behaved.
Once trigger for my dogs is when I’m finishing up a phone call. They hear, “uh huh, ok, that sounds good, bye.” Along with my body language and the shorter pauses between words. They come and sit in front of me for some love and good scratches when they hear my phone call is ending.
Great info, thank you! Your dog training tips have changed how I train dogs for the better.
Hello there I love this post Susan😍. Have immediately started a table🧾 to note all the good triggers that do not come to mind in this very moment. Thank you for this. Now you have told us about this … oh my goodness yes, this is great and it makes every sense! Why haven’t I thought of this (well the immediate answer to that is well Ness you haven’t the grey matter Susan has!😆 The immediate one I thought of was saying out aloud the dog names belonging to my friend. Their name alone, triggers immediate attention and excitement. Jack will uncurl, appearing quickly from his bed as for him this is likely to mean a beach walk and play with his friends. Another one will be taking the car keys out of the ignition of the car, for Jack this will invariably mean he’s coming into a supermarket or a hospital appointment with me (as an assistance dog). He enjoys working, and being with me in any public space. He loves to people watch more than me!! Thank you so much for all that you bring to our lives Susan, as always 🐶x
One of the ringtones on my cell phone is a dog barking. My male dog, Vasco know the “ring” and understands who I am talking to. Typically it means that we are going for a walk with his little Terrier friend and those are always good times.
My ten year old black lab, Lupo, always gets excited whenever I come into a room with different clothes on like a sweater or shoes. When I get his leash he gives the same reaction. We are working on his doorbell triggers. If it’s just the doorbell he will bark until we acknowledge the door and check. If it’s a doorbell and someone shouting “Dad’s home” or “their here” even though there’s no one there he goes into red lining and travels at the speed of lightning to the door before someone can close it. Do you have any advice of fixing this bad trigger to became a good one?
Easiest way is to block access – put a baby gate across the doorway. Train the PEOPLE in your home NOT to yell the cue phrases. Stay calm – if YOU are agitated, the dog’s behavior will escalate. PLAN AHEAD! Put note outside the door asking people to call your cell # BEFORE they knock, so you can put leash on dog and get treats ready. Practice the skills in Crate Games DVD and Recallers Games, especially Game Day #22.
Training is actually simple, but it takes time and consistency from everyone. You need to desensitize the dog to the excitement of the cue (train an alternate behavior!) Sit near the door with a handful of medium value treats. Softly say the trigger phrase, throw one treat and say get it, then call the dog back to you (away from the door) and give a high value treat in RZ. Repeat until treats are gone, each time saying the phrase louder/more excited. Next lessons, add light knocks on the door and repeat the previous steps.
Next lessons, teach the dog to SIT every time you touch the door knob (like you would in Crate Games) – no bolting outside. When he knows that, open the door and inch. If he gets up, close the door & he gets no treat. When you can keep him sitting with the door wide open (leash on for safety!), then add a person outside and repeat all the other steps. You can hire a neighborhood kid to stand on your stoop for 15 minutes while you train. Explain to your visitors that they may have to wait ten minutes before the dog is ready for them to come in. When you don’t have time to train, put the dog outside or in crate to prevent regression to earlier behavior.
Guess and What get excited when I close my glasses case which snaps shut and leap up from a deep sleep incase we are going out. Same with phone or laptop closing. When I put my wellies on to go outside incase it’s a walk. Same when I put my walking boots on and can tell the difference between my walking boots going on as apposed to steel toecap working boots which look very similar.
An unintended trigger is when I take the bins to the end of the drive. What comes half way down the drive with me then turns round and runs like mad and jumps over the wall into the field to chase the 🐑. Very naighty self rewarding behaviour which we are working on.
When my toy poodle sees me cutting up cheese, bacon, roast beef into tiny pieces, she KNOWS they are for her. She KNOWS when i pick up my green bag off the hook with Agility supplies in it that we are going to go “play with puppies in class” (get to go in car). My other (older) dog KNOWS how to tell time–like when it’s 11 p.m. and time to go to bed–she comes to sit and stare at me.
My dog knows my work clothes vs. my not at work clothes and definitely gets excited when I put on my off-duty gear because she knows she will be headed out with me when that happens (and staying at home when it’s the reverse).
Lacy’s trigger is when I put on a specific pair of tennis shoes. Mind you, I have 5 pairs of tennis shoes, but when I put on the black and teal ones, it means I am going to work — and she gets to go with me! She excitedly runs to the front door where I keep her leash and harness, and wait for me to put them on her. Then she goes to the back door and waits to get into the car.
Closing the cover on my ipad – it makes a little ‘click’ sound. My dogs become hopeful that I’m going to stand up and do something exciting. The fact they react to the little click sound has also made me realise how attentive my dogs are to every tiny little sound, even if they appear to be sound asleep.
Oh, and when I put on deoderant – I always do that before I go out. So whenever I put it on, even if I’m not going out, the dogs get hyped up in anticipation of a fun outing somewhere.
Going to the backdoor in the afternoon apparently means I am going to allow one dog into the veggie garden area ( think “chance at half -rotted stone fruit treats before Mum catches you”…) there’s a race, unless one is out walking. How do I know this…I decided NOT to go into the veggie garden because I saw the dog waiting by the gate, which then waited patiently as I went inside and came outside to change my mind and head into the veggie garden to check on the plants. Clever pup, remembered the pattern, anticipated the moves and was right there waiting to capitalise on the randomness of the ‘reward’for sitting and heeling ( on the way) INTO… the veggie garden until I got distracted when sneaking off quietly might turn up a tasty , naughty snack!!
That was of course an unintentional trigger. The intentional one is definitely “ready” they can be asleep, and just that word ( excited tone ) means games/walk/outing…or indoor training! I have to capitalise on this information…and no off leash trips into the veggie garden in future, for fear of the smelly consequences!!
Not a positive trigger but my dogs always follow my hubby from the lounge in anticipation that he is going to the kitchen. They leave en mass. I can be eating a roast dinner & they still follow him & leave me alone.
If I so much as touch a fishing pole my Cavi is jumping and turning and making the funniest noises. She is totally over the top with excitement! Wish I could figure out how to take advantage of that in the winter. Fishing is not an option here in the midwest right now LOL!
Getting my backpack off the back of the chair and the orange duffle bag gets my two collies excited as they know they will be going on a search or training! It’s the same to them!
As soon as I put my “walking coat” on and grab their Brilliant K9 Harnesses Mindi and Lexi get super excited because they know we are going to the woods for a walk!!
The food dish coming out!
Ready was by far my single most go to. Please I can create other triggers as well.
Positive triggers are ready as you said, opening the shade in the hallway in the morning, saying bubbles. I am going to try the breathing also.
I am definitely a trigger – if the dogs think I am going to do something and see me in clothing that means training, going outside or a walk – they are ready to go.
Kink will stand by the front door and howl when she sees me in my training gear.
Work or gym clothes, the dogs automatically go to their crates 😂
When I take their collars off the hook they go crazy.
“Ready” has been a great trigger for my older Papillon to get him a quicker start line
The phrase “are you ready” is a major trigger for all my dogs. I use it both for walks and going to work.
The words “Shall we…..????” 🙂
All I have to do is stand up and it’s “OK, where are we going next!”
My dog just told me how good she knows Ctrl+Alt+Del combination on my keyboard 😀
My dog is among those that loves the sound of your voice and Recallers music ♥️ (go Tater 🎀)
When we push 4 buttons to disarm our house alarm system, my girls know that the beeps mean it’s time to go out for squats and to have breakfast. Works every morning!
Thank you! I love this.
My dogs all get excited at 7 pm when they know it’s time with me on the couch. Two of my dogs know when it’s rally class on Thursday and my other dog knows it’s tuesda rally. The puppy does what the other dogs do!!!
Such important information, Susan. Thank you for blogging about it! I’m going to send my students to this before class this week.
Bringing out the dog leash is trigger for our shelties. They love to go for walks. With my husband, it us his shoes for the backyard.
Woah, I’d never thought like this. You got it with the car keys for my dog. I’m going to do the breath as a positive trigger.