Last week I was chatting with a puppy client about engagement and why some dogs naturally stay connected to their owners out and about… while others completely disconnect.
And I thought it would make a really good topic for this week’s blog post because it’s something I see all the time.
People often focus so much on commands and obedience that they forget something really important:
Your dog should actually want to be near you.
That’s the foundation of everything else.
The Environment Is Rewarding
When you’re out and about, the environment is constantly rewarding your dog…
Sniffing
Exploring
Watching/chasing birds
Running
Water play
Other dogs
People
All of those things feel good to your dog.
So if we want our dogs to stay connected to us… we need to become rewarding too.
Reward The Check-Ins
This is something I encourage clients to do all the time.
Reward your dog for checking in with you:
- around the yard
- during walks
- when out and about
Use your dog’s daily food allowance and feed them every time they come to you without being called.
Those voluntary check-ins are valuable.
That’s your dog choosing you.
How I Personally Do This
When I’m out and about with my own dogs, I always carry:
- their kibble
- plus higher value rewards
When my dogs choose to check in with me on their own, I use their kibble.
When I call them, I use higher value rewards.
Why This Matters
This might seem tedious at first… but your dog needs to eat anyway.
So why not use that food to build value for yourself instead of the environment?
You’re Wiring Their Brain
This isn’t forever.
This is us wiring their brains to think: “Being near my owner is rewarding.”
Because if we don’t intentionally build that value, their brain may instead become wired to think: “The environment is rewarding, and there’s no real reason to check in with my owner.”
Small Moments Matter
A lot of people think training only happens during formal sessions, but this is training too.
Every check-in you reward… every moment your dog chooses you… every time you reinforce engagement… you’re strengthening that connection.
What You’ll Start To Notice
Over time, dogs that are heavily reinforced for engagement tend to:
- stay closer naturally
- check in more often
- respond more quickly
- stay more connected out and about
Because staying connected has become valuable to them.
Want Help Building This?
This is exactly what we work on inside my Online Training: Life Skills.
Because engagement isn’t something you force, it’s something you build.
The Big Takeaway
Dogs repeat behaviours that are rewarding.
If you want your dog to stay connected to you out and about – make being with you worth it! 😃
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