Average or Better?

When you train, what is your expectation of your dogs performance? Is it an average or better effort?

What is their average performance?    What does a better performance look like? 

I recently saw this  put into action by a great trainer and it has opened my eyes to a completely different expectation of my dogs performance.
Every time my dog offers a behavior, whether we are formally training, playing with tricks or are just bumming around the house - when my dogs offer anything - my first thought response is...

"Was that offered behavior average or better than what they usually offer?"

This single change in my thought process has my dogs wanting to improve their performance.
I am no longer rewarding a less than behavior... I wait... and I am seeing their wheels spin...

"Why didn't I get a cookie or tug session for that? Let me try again.." 

Suddenly a soft hand touch, the nose barely touching my hand as they quickly look at me in anticipation of the cookie, now becomes a hand touch with pressure and intent - eyes focused on the task.

Peanut, one of my Aussies has been a master of offering as little as possible and getting a reward. Since I changed and started asking myself "Was her fill in the blank average or better?" we have made more progress in a week than we have in the last 4 years. What I have learned is she is a smart cookie and has been shaping me all this time - giving me just enough - but offering no more... and time and time again - I have rewarded her for that.

Someone recently told me this:

"In any relationship either the dog or the human is being shaped, it is your goal to be doing the shaping."

My challenge to you is this:

Challenge your dog to offer better

Watch them think

Don't guide or make it easier 

They will challenge you

But be patient 

And watch as new and improved behaviors unfold.