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Writer's pictureKendra Mackinnon

Checking In

My dog and I have a relationship. It isn't solely about training and teaching behaviours but connecting with my dog. I check in with my dog and he checks in with me. We like to know what the other is up to and know how the other is feeling. We both prefer if many of our day to day activities or lack of activities are together. On a very basic training level my dog has been taught through a series of short exercises that it is rewarding to check in or seek information from me rather than just try out something and see if the consequence is beneficial. Although, my dog and I seek each other out because we have a bond I also like to positively reinforce him asking me because my dog lives in a human world, where there are human rules he wouldn't know if he wasn't taught. In his mind grabbing a piece of food off the table would be perfectly acceptable. It's there and he is there and it looks and smells good and afterall he has to eat to survive. His point of view makes perfect sense, but I know I wouldn't appreciate it if my dog stole (from my perspective) my food from the table.

A simple exercise to play with your dog to teach asking or checking in with you is what I like to call the May I Game. This game teaches impulse control, asking please may I, teaches checking in for information (this can help for recalls and allowing your dog to work off leash and walking your dog on a loose leash politely),

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HOW TO PLAY

Pick a calm room in the house

Fill your pockets with some healthy small treats your dog loves

Call your dog to come play with you

Ask for a sit or other well known behaviour, mark and treat (this let's your dog know the games have begun and starts the session with a confidence boost)

Now place a treat in each hand and make a fist

Kneel so that you are facing your dog (assuming your dog is comfortable with eye contact and food handling)

Place your hands in front of your dog's face, one to the left and the other to the right side

Let your dog sniff and lick your hands

DO NOT MOVE YOUR HANDS away

The SECOND your dog looks you in the eyes you mark it (say YES or have another person click for you), and open both your hands and offer both treats

Celebrate with praise after!!

Your dog just checked in with you to seek out information. How do I get this? Please may I have this?

Repeat exercise, play for 5-10 minutes or before your dog is tired or over stimulated and always end on a good note :)

* You may not attain the eye contact the first time and may need to start with a lower criterion and work in small increments towards your goal. A lower criterion may be your dog moves a cm away from your hands for a split second.


Have fun training!


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