Is there a difference between a dog who comes when called... and an off leash trained dog?

Absofreakinglutely.

Most people are comfortable and okay with the first one of those two... having a dog who will come back to you when you call... instead of chasing off every smell and pretending like you're invisible... is fantastic.

But what's is the difference between a dog who will come back... and a dog who is actually "off leash trained"?

See...

A dog who is off leash trained is on a whole other level.

It's the sort of thing that takes a lot more time... but the end result is much more rewarding.

It's the dog who can be without a leash.

Without a collar even.

AND who can CHOOSE willingly to walk past distractions with you, to stay near you, to come check on you.... and to choose those things ON THEIR OWN.

Without you having to command it of them every time.

A dog who will come when called is a dog who might come back to you after it takes off to go see another dog.

An off leash trained dog is the one who will see another dog, and choose to keep going on their way WITH YOU.

An off leash trained dog is the kind of dog you can have an almost human like conversation with, to tell them whether you want them to hang behind you. To stop. To wait. To go run, or chase that lizard.

The kind of dog who is always cocking an ear back to make sure you're still there. 

Who is periodically glancing back toward you... to make sure there is nothing you need of them. 

That's the kind of thing that makes you look at your dog and wonder just how you got so lucky... to be connected with another being so closely that you are able to work together so well. 

That you can lay your trust in an animal so fully. That's where the magic happens. 

I can help you teach your dog to come when called.

But what I REALLY want to do.... is to help you have an off leash trained dog.

A reward is a reward is a reward...

When you think of a reward, in regards to training a dog, what is the first thing that pops into your head? 

Food? 

Maybe a tennis ball? 

A game of tug? 

Maybe your mind went where I'm already going with this and you thought of something more complicated. 

The fact remains, that reward reinforces a behavior. It increases the likelihood of seeing a behavior happen again, and again, and again. 

So why does your dog only listen sometimes, even though they've gotten treats, pets, and toys what seems like a thousand times for doing the "right" thing? 

Your dog is the dog who will listen like a dream... if you have a treat in your hand. 

But how do you help them behave reliably without having to carry a cookie in your pocket for the rest of your life? 

That answer partially lies in how exactly you are taking advantage of reward opportunities.  

1.When your dog is jumping up, whining, maybe even barking because you've just got home from work. 

2. When your dog is pulling on the leash to go sniff the tree in your neighbors yard. 

3. When your dog is attacking the vacuum. 

What does your dog want *in the moment* of each of these?  

1. Your dog wants your attention. They want to be close to you. YOU are the reward. 

2. Your dog wants to examine and study that tree. The sniffing is the reward. 

3. Your dog likely wants the vacuum to stop moving, to stop making that awfully scary sound. The reward is exactly that. The vacuum once again becoming motionless and "dead". 

Rewards increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, good or bad. 

Use the smelly grass spot at the park as a reward, use your attention, movement, and eye contact. Use your guests as a reward. 

Having the leash put on, being let out of the kennel, being let out the doorway, into or out of the car, being allowed to approach and sniff something, their daily meals, something scary going away. 

Rewards are endless. The most powerful one is the one your dog wants in a single moment. 

Be conscious of the behavior and energy your dog is giving off when receiving a reward. Those behaviors and that energy is what will be reinforced in the future. #rewardwhatmatters