This page is a component of the Glossary of the Dog Science, CBC
Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network
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Good Dog
This website teaches you to use your gladdening voice to repetitively speak the words good dog to your dog whenever you feed or massage him, take him outdoors, or do anything else that fills him with pleasure and joy.
By pairing the phrase with positive affect and pleasurable physiologic events, you can set in motion a paradigm of classical conditioning in which your dog will come to find the sound of good dog almost as enjoyable as being fed, massaged, or romping in the outdoors.
After you reach the point that your dog enjoys hearing them, you can then employ the words as reinforcers you can use to encourage correct behavior.
If used as directed, eventually your dog will come to understand the words good dog to mean one or more of the following:
- You are doing the right thing.
- I want you to do this more often in the future.
- I am pleased.
- I love you.