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reinforcing are ritualized chasing and hunting games. The ball mimics the actions of a prey animal, and playing with other dogs is to some degree an extension of hunting activity. Notice that affection from her handler is way down on the list—a dismal last, in fact. Also note that almost all of the activities that she loves do not involve her handler in any way. If you feel despair when you read this list because it resembles your own dog’s list, please note that this was my dog and, after she was trained, she would go anywhere with me, do whatever I asked, and would never take her eyes off of me for fear of missing something fun.

Beau - Border Collie (Among the most biddable of breeds in the Herding Group)

1. Herding/chasing sheep

2. Retrieving games (Frisbee™, ball, any other toy)

3. Chasing a ball.

4. Tug games with handler

5. Chase/pounce games with handler

6. Swimming

7. Handler praise

8. Food rewards

9. Going for a walk

10. Physical affection from handler

Here is a biddable dog. Border Collies are generally perceived to be the most easily trained dogs of all. He loves toys, too, but he loves playing with his handler and the toy. The Terrier had three activities involving her handler, and they were all in the bottom half of her priorities. Six out of ten of the Border Collie’s hot activities involve his handler, and three of the top five are handler games!

This Rhodesian Ridgeback is obviously not in love with doing an obedience exercise, but it does not mean that he lacks drive. Just look at him lure coursing (chasing a plastic bag on a string that simulates a rabbit running through a large field). That is the drive you want to harness and use.

Mr. Bailey - Rhodesian Ridgeback (A fairly unbiddable breed from the Hound Group)

1. Lure Coursing

2. Chasing Squirrels

3. Running free

4. Chase games with handler

5. Hide and seek games with handler

6. Walks

7. Food

8. Being near handler

9. Sniffing/tracking things

10. Handler talking to him/getting attention

What a surprise, four out of the top five for this dog involve some kind of chasing and hunting behavior. Although he values his freedom, interaction with his handler is still high on his list and he has a strong desire to be with and play with his handler. This is a dog that is not going to be as hard to train as the Bull Terrier, but the things he loves best do not involve his handler and it will be still be a challenge to motivate him.

Pig-tionary

Lure Coursing: “Coursing” is the pursuit of game by sight as opposed to scent. Dogs who hunt this way are called sighthounds. Lure coursing is a sport where the action of prey is simulated by a plastic bag tied to a cord which is stretched around pulleys in a field. The cord is run by a motor which whips the bag around a course with several turns, anywhere from 600 to 1000 yards long.

Now make your own list. Write down ten of your dog’s “hot” activities. Remember, even jumping up on you or lunging at squirrels counts. Even though they are not things we like our dogs to do, it will tell us what we need to know about what motivates our dogs. Think carefully about your dog and for what things he shows a lot of enthusiasm. A lot of people have trouble motivating their dogs because they are confused about what motivates their dogs. The assumption is often made, for instance, that praise and petting are hot reinforcers. In fact, most dogs (especially Pigs Fly kind of dogs) don’t care a fig about petting and praise to start out with. It is only as you painstakingly develop your relationship with your dog over months or even years that your dog comes to find your approval rewarding— you have to earn the privilege of being reinforcing to your dog!

Pig Tale

It is the very rare dog that is in good health and not motivated by food. A lot of people tell me that their dogs are not motivated by food, but it is almost never true. I brought my 11 month old Bull Terrier puppy to a group training class. I knew this was going to be distracting and stimulating enough to blow the top of his head off, so I pulled