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Video: Which One? (Watch Your Dog Think)
❓Let’s talk about giving dogs CHOICES and a few of the (many) benefits:
- It enhances your bond – they love a “conversation” rather than a command
- Choice can help fearful dogs feel more in control and alleviate stress
- It’s really fun to see what your dog thinks!
????In this video, you’ll see me asking Lido for his opinion in a fun game we play, called “which one?” ????????
You can see how much Lido enjoys this. Look at his clear body language – open mouth, focused attention, his side-to-side waving tail.
Why do you think this “lights him up?” ????
Have you ever asked your dog which one? Try it! Share a video, it would be awesome to see what your dog thinks. (And there’s no wrong way to do it – it’s just a game for fun.) ????
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16 Replies
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@david i love this video and how you explain to give them choices. It’s amazing how much we really control our dogs daily life(when to go potty, eat, walk and so on) I am definitely going to try this. I love how relaxed and playful Lidos body language is:) Looks like he is really enjoying it and I love how he sits waiting to be ask which one! So cute. Thank you for another great idea!
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You’re welcome, @pawsup ! ????
Tell us how your dog reacts, or share a video if you feel like capturing it.
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David,
I love the Choice Game that you play with Lido! It was interesting to know that he didn’t always go for the same side in the past. I wonder if there are any other variables at play when he chooses a toy. Maybe , one of your hands smells different from touching food or using your right hand to do something else ( prior to the game) that Lido detects. Maybe he is just changing his mind as to which toy he wants to play with at any given time!
Regardless, great video! Time for me to try it out with Arch!
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Great points @suzie – there could be other “unseen” factors in the dog’s decisions.
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Love it! I like that, even though there is training involved, the outcome and reward is really dictated by the pup. Like you say, it gives them more confidence – there is literally no wrong answer and a great way to strengthen your bond! I think Maizie’s gonna love it!
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@eeka Maizie is adorable!!
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Thank you! She is pure sweetness and love ????
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Hi all!
Been awhile since I’ve chimed in…
@david– when you posted this video (or one like it) before, I tried it with my student dog, Charlie. He REALLY loves choice and his owner and I often encourage him to make choices and reward them with listening and doing what he likes. He is such a good boy, it’s easy to reward him with life rewards. (Choosing direction on walks, street crossings, adventures like that…play time…)
His owner recently has asked me about giving him a choice to go to a favorite forest preserve or park/trail. What I love is that, he’s not a trainer, but I share what I do with Charlie be leaving him an account of our training, video clips with explanation, written instructional…this is his cool idea:
He is taking a different toy to a park or preserve, each time it’s the same you so Charlie begins to associate the toy with the particular place. He plays with the toy at the place. He’s asking what he can do after to give him the choice of where they will go…
I remembered the video you made with Lido of the Which One game and was going to suggest it…what do you think?
Here’s a question from him: Will it take a long time for a pretty smart young dog to make that classical conditioning choice of toy to place? He said he thought it might, but he doesn’t mind and doesn’t expect Charlie to get it right away.
I’d love to know your thoughts! Here is a picture of Charlie, 4-1/2 year old mix, my very best friend of all my doggie clients! I’ve known him since he was about 4 months old and see him for daily walks. He’sa frisbee junkie, lol!
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Oh wow, this is such a cool idea. Great share @bernerlabreclectus
I have no way of knowing how many repetitions it would take of playing with the toy at the particular place to make an association but I could see it happening within a few pairings if the dog loved the game and played happily at the location every time the toy was offered there.
Then, would the dog choose the place by choosing the toy? Again, I think the are a lot of variables there and it would be hard to prove one way or another, but I think it’s brilliant and definitely possible. Clever stuff!
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What a cool idea. Would love to see down the road if you’ve had success with this.
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David,
I love this topic! I’ve attended various classes and had multiple trainers over the years with some very different opinions about the “right way” to train a dog. Several years ago, I made a conscious decision to let my dog choose. I have a 9 yr old GS that was labeled “reactive” for more than 1/2 his life. Fortunately, I found a phenomenal trainer and she coached me how to implement “let him choose”. Timing of the rewards takes some practice but it is so worth it! The engagement I had with him when he was a puppy has returned! Our training sessions are more productive because I have a goal in mind an together we alter our training plans as we go, based on his feedback. The choices he makes ( his feedback) are all indicators of how well he understands my communications in training.
Giving up “control” of my dog has allowed me more time with thoughts on ways to improve myself and my communications. It’s also confirms my opinion that we have a lot that we can learn if we just listen and not grasp at always trying to control things. Live in the moment, not in the past, and it’s too soon for the future.????
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Beautiful story @lis
So glad you found this path to “reengaging” with your GS in a way that feels great for you both. He’s a lucky dog. ????????
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Thank you for sharing this video! I will try it! My dogs do choose certain balls to fetch on any given day which I always found interesting. If I throw another ball, they are totally uninterested. I also allow my dogs to choose which direction we start our walks leaving the driveway in our neighborhood. Will it be left or right?
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Violet choosing!
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Tug toy it is! Way to share it @JCongdon
Violet’s body language shows she clearly loves the interaction. And she’s so polite. Bravo.
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Thank you! It’s fun seeing what she picks. So far, it’s always the same toy even when I mix it up!
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