Have you ever made a mistake when training your dog? It’s safe to say we all have. Last week we looked at having a Plan B when our dog does something unexpected, so in fairness to our dogs, this post covers when our dogs might need a Plan B for us!
Our dog’s response to our errors will range from shutting down to stressing up, but it does not need to be that way. Something I have been using and advocating for more years than I can remember is what I call “screw up cookies”.
Screw Up Cookies
A “screw up cookie” is for when we make a mistake. As soon as we make the mistake, we ask our dog for a simple behaviour and reward that behaviour. Asking for a simple behaviour ensures we are not rewarding our dog for something that we don’t want. There is a massive difference between ‘purposeful’ and ‘mindless’ reinforcing.
The behaviour to ask the dog for could be a sit, down, or hand touch, and the reward a quick game of tug or a cookie given ‘on the move’ or with a ‘paws up’. It’s a simple behaviour our dog is very clear on, that we can reinforce immediately to keep our dog’s drive and motivation for working with us.
When you ‘screw up’ ask your dog for a simple behaviour, and reinforce that!
Dog training requires mechanical skills, so we will make errors, and that’s okay. Embracing your mistakes as opportunities for your dog to earn reinforcement with a “screw up cookie” will help maintain your connection with your dog and maintain the joy and enthusiasm for both of you. If one of you in the team is not having fun, then neither will the other one.
We could make mistakes in any part of our dog training, but for dog agility and other dog sports, there are many mechanical skills for us humans to master. Sometimes when we make an error, it might be tempting to go back to the start and repeat the exercise, often over and over until we get it right, and in that time our dog will not be getting any reinforcement and losing confidence from our mistakes. A lack of confidence is the number one reason for either the lack of drive or ‘too much’ drive in many dogs.
We might even forget about our dog while we try and figure out what went wrong. We might sigh, shake our head or otherwise display frustration at ourselves… all of these things are de-motivating for our dogs. If you need thinking time, give your dog a “screw up cookie” and then send him to his bed or crate while you figure it out. That gives him a job to do that he will value and find reinforcing from the foundations that you have built in Crate Games.
Next time you make an error, see it as an opportunity to reinforce your dog!
If you are unsure if you made a mistake, give your dog the benefit of the doubt. If you are learning a skill that is new for you, practice without your dog at first. Bring your dog into the training session when you are comfortable with where you need to be and what you are doing. Embrace videoing your training sessions so you can review your mechanics.
Keeping and building drive is important for all dogs. This is a vital element of good dog training even if your dog is over the top. Some dogs will stress ‘low’ and others ‘high’. Your skills as a dog trainer will help your dog no matter where he is on the drive spectrum. Using “screw up cookies” should become part of your training. Live by the rule “a mistake is a chance to reward that which is correct”.
Had you heard of “screw up cookies”? I know that this silly name I made up has been in the mainstream for a long time, and that many of you are using “screw up cookies” with great benefit to your dog training. Is this a new concept for you? Let me know in the comments.
Today I am grateful for everyone who is striving to maintain their dog’s joy in daily life, training and in competition sports.
I just watched one of your latest videos today where you explained screw up cookies and how they fit into our training plan. I’d read about them before. I even have a note card on my bulletin board reminding me to use them But today it finally sunk in that this is what is truly missing from my training sessions with Windsor. I keep pushing us to keep on working on a game even when I know he’s working his little heart out to please me but he’s no longer having fun. So I worked out a specific plan to use as a guide beginning tomorrow that uses short, short repetitions in each game and lots of movement and rewards in between – plus screw up cookies to keep us both motivated (only mine with be human ones🤗). Thank you again for keeping me straight.
Susan, thank you for sharing this! What a cool way to deal with my mistakes! This morning I tried a variation, “Screw up tug”. I was getting ready to take my 6 month old pup out for a training walk. I had prepared a baggie of very high value treats. I left it on the table with my other supplies. While I had my back turned to get my shoes she grabbed the baggie and quickly started to devour its contents. I heard a rustling sound, turned, shouted “Uh-uh!” (“Uh-uh!” is my “Stop whatever you are doing NOW!” command). She dropped the baggie. Remembering the “thing before the thing” situation, I called her a asked for a sit. She came and sat. I didn’t want to give her more treats so we played a short exciting game of tug. then I decided to turn my mistake into a training session. I put the now half empty treat baggie on the ground where she had left it. I called her back and we played tug. I repeated this several times, each time moving closer to the treats, until we were was right next to them. Then I tried moving the treats to a new place and called her. Each time she looked at the treats and then chose to play tug. I am so excited with the potential to use my mistakes in a positive way!
Yes, at Bad Dog Agility they have pointed out that you should keep the rate of reinforcement up. Even reesrding when you return to start again. Even if the dog missed also. You’ll be rewarding the “come along” back to the start of the sequence.
Thanks Susan,
I had heard of this before but never heard as much as you shared in this blog. I will plan to add this to our sessions. Yes, I make mistakes. Good to know the way to do a screw up cookie is to ask for a simple behavior and reward that. I had heard of screw up cookie but not how to do it.
Have a great day everyone,
Tracy & Night
Totally goes along with being KIND… to the dog and to myself… thank you, Susan!
Screw up cookie ♥️
My old dog and I used to screw up after she had retired from full height jumping. In KC agility, we have any size, it’s for retired or starter dogs, low jumps. She loved her weaves, but there weren’t any in Anysize, so if I wasn’t at the line when she finished and if I hadn’t noted if there were weaves close by, specially at the side of the ring, she would dash into there and do her weaves. So naughty, but she had given me so many years of doing her best, no matter whether I said tunnel instead of tyre, she almost read my mind. I do miss my girl. ❤️
I love this concept and intend to implement immediately. this would take so much pressure off the dog when I am trying to train something new to me . Thanks Susan for all the good information.
Dear Susan
Last Sunday was our very first obedience trial or any trial for that matter. My 19 mo old lab April is a high drive easily excited crazy wonderful girl. It’s been a struggle. But I signed up for Crate Games and have great instruction and we are srptarting to put the pieces together!! April won FIRST PLC AND TIED FOR SECOND PLACE!! Many dogs in her classes also showed in a higher level and she beat them!! I can’t thank you and all the others who have helped get started. I kept remembering you saying to keep it fun and encourage your dog. I did just that and we had so much fun! I couldn’t help noticing as I watched others how intense they were with their dogs. Never smiling rarely praising. Thank you so so much for all you do to help all of us!!!
Regards
Cheryl Lee and April Skye
No I’ve never heard of this. So screw up cookies are giving a cookie even if you’ve made a mistake. Is this because you will correct your mistake and it won’t confuse your dog going further.
No, it’s because we don’t want the dog to think it’s HIS fault when WE make a mistake. Many handlers get upset or disappointed at their own screw-ups, and this can stress the dog out wondering what he did wrong. Also good when you stop to talk to your trainer – don’t just let the dog wander around trying to figure out why you stopped. Give him something to do (lie down or tug) and reward him.
Great reminder! I have been doing this with my new pup but did not have a name for it. Learned to do this 50 years ago in horse training. Boy, if a horse loses enthusiasm and confidence, it REALLY shows!
Thanks Susan – this is a new approach for us but one with huge value
Yesterday my gundog trainer Vickie Prichard suggested I buy your book Ruff Love and read your blog. So just read about screw up cookies. VERY good idea as I screw up a lot and my dog lacks confidence. Thank you. Shirley
Really love this plan B suggestion. I often thought about how to keep my dog motivated and connected with me, after a training blooper from me. Screwing up a cookie is the answer. Thank you. Also thanks for the videoing blog. Very helpful.
I am new to training and learning that even the best have screw ups gives me a sigh of relief. Always good to have a plan B. The term screw up cookies I would like to learn more.
I had never thought of this. Thank you!
What a great idea! I always try to say “Let’s do that again!” and since it is usually my miscue, I also say good girl (while I’m saying to myself, focus! lol). Giving a behavior to do may ensure that Gingi doesn’t feel as if she did something wrong! Thank you; I’ll try that next practice play/ class, etc.! 😀
Hmmm I did this just today as we are starting a NADAC course which is a bit different from Agility as we know it. Anyway, we did our best of a ‘bad job’ (on my fumbling part) and had fun anyway. Next week’s class will be awesome 😀
I do this. Thanks for the reminder. So many good things.
“Failure is success in progress” . …Great quote! Your message reminded me that my Stela should be receiving more cookies! I will be building her repertoire of simple behaviours.
Thanks Susan, I will be consciously doing this from now on
A great reminder of not to ignore our dog when things go wrong. All about building confidence. thank you for that reminder!!
I’ve essentially heard of tbe concept not the name. Your description of it clarifies it for me. I am one that needs to get better at this. My almost 2 year old springer shuts down if i make a mistake and react negatively to it. And actually, i can get drive from her at home and maybe sometimes in class, but not in other settings. I need to go back to basics and get a better transfer of value for anything we might be ne doing and this topic is a good reminder of at least one of the things that i need to improve on! Thanks! 😊
I have never heard this terminology before, but I will be adding it to my “tool bag”. Thank you!
Thanks Susan, I hadn’t heard of “screw up cookings” before but have been struggling with not accidentally allowing my dog to ‘take the blame’ when I’m frustrated with my own mistakes (she’s very sensitive). This is exactly what I need to try!
I call them “oh dear cookies” Especially in agility you can see how energy seeps out of your dog when you are upset about YOUR mistakes. I teach the use of Oh dear cookies from puppy class.
Hi Susan
I remember it very vaguely and I so Thankyou for the reminder. I have now made a note to do just that as I have a shut down dog that loses interest very easily.
Regards
Linda Kightley
England UK
I have not heard of Screw up Coookies, but I always try and protect my dogs confidence.
If I screw up in our games,I usually just, try it again. From now on I will see my from my dogs prospective and go to hand targets, or hide and seek, something he really enjoys ! Then check my mechanics. Thank you !
This is a concept I use all the time in basic obedience training in that we never reward say a slow response for a recall but ask for something else and reward that then go back to the original exercise and try again and only reward the behaviour asked for. In Agility if I “screw up” and the dog does what I inadvertently ask for, rather than going “aaaakkkk! I messed up” I reward my dog. I would also ask for another behaviour to reward but often forget to do that. I like the name Screw up Cookie, and will use that to remind me, and my students, to do what is right for the dog. Thanks Susan.
So incredibly grateful… i had never heard this before.
I have done this inadvertently when my drivey dog runs way ahead and off course and I call him back and he responds. I have done it because I always reward a recall. have never heard of screw up cookies but love the concept and will use it often. Thanks for sharing.
No I had not heard of that term but understand the value of it and will be implementing in our training of search dogs from now on, after trialing with my own dog. Thank you. So simple!
Susan, Thank you for defining this for us! So helpful! I have used something similar to this, but have been inconsistent & don’t always have a clear purpose in mind for reseting the dog when I make a mistake. I like having a name for this as well. I can now attach definition, purpose & technique to a name…I’ll remember it better.
I’ve heard it as handler cookies but without the “ask” & more along the mindless reunforcing
Thanks Susan–I have heard you talk about this before but never fully understood the concept — now I have a better understanding and it makes good sense! I plan to start using this. As someone else mentioned in these comments and something I find myself doing is when I make the mistake I sometimes will reward my dog before asking for a another behavior so that I and up rewarding the wrong behavior..but I have it straight now! Thank you!
I never called it “screw up cookies” but I am aware that when I am not sure what I am supposed to be doing and I mess up that it is a good idea to let the dog do something he is successful at and earn a reward or a “silly session”.
I will not try to train my dogs when I am in a bad mood or have no patience. If I know I need to engage with my dogs in some way,just because they have been cooped up while I have been away,I will do something “mindless” for me but fun for them…like a fetch game with a “go round” or a hand touch. I won’t try something new if I don’t have the patience at training time.
I teach beginners so handler mistakes are common. I always yell out “Play with your dog”. Most of the dogs don’t know they are wrong that way and it gives the handler something to do while we set up to try again. Love the idea of the cookies and the rest for the dog while 5he handler resets to try again. Going to use that.
Had not heard this before. In teaching herding we do not use food or toys as rewards as they need to stay focused on their sheep as well as listening for directions. The sheep are the reward plus a verbal good job or well done. In other training I do use rewards and will implement the screw up cookie in the future! Thank you!
Yes, and I have used them and sometimes incorrectly by rewarding the behavior that I didn’t want because I made the mistake. Often done in class when the instructor is telling you reward your dog because you screwed up and I forget to ask for an easy behavior first. Or another habit I have that is bad I feed like a Pez machine when I’m listening to the instructor for further direction.
I do use this concept when handling Westie Kalani I always screw up so I make sure that I try to reset myself and ask him to do a trick or nose touch etc and reward I assume it is always my mistake and my videos confirm it 100 percent of the time Sometimes in class my instructor may think it is Kalani but I review my video and I was glad that I did my screw up cookies for sure! Love the name! Thx Susan!!