Let’s discuss one of the best ways to change your dog’s behavior! You've likely heard us preach the benefits of positive reinforcement training, and there's a reason for that. According to learning theory, when you reinforce a behavior, the likelihood of that behavior happening again increases. It's simple yet powerful.
Let me share a personal example. Right now, it's Cadbury Cream Egg season. As much as I try to resist, I can't help myself. I see those delicious eggs in the store, and I know exactly how they’ll taste—creamy, sweet, and utterly irresistible. Before I knew it, I purchased one, ate it in my car, and the cycle continued. Every time I give in to this craving, my behavior gets reinforced. And, sure enough, I find myself buying them repeatedly, even when I try not to.
This is the power of reinforcement in action—whether it's a chocolate craving or a dog’s behavior.
Now, let’s switch gears. What about your dog’s behavior? What drives them to do what they do? For most dogs, it’s something tangible: a treat, a special toy, or a favorite game. Whether it’s boiled chicken, hotdogs, liver, meatballs, or their beloved ball or frisbee—finding out what your dog wants is key to shaping the behavior you want to see more of.
Enter SMART Training: A Game Changer
I want to introduce you to a method that’s taking dog training to the next level: SMART Training. This technique was developed by Kathy Sdao, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, and it stands for "See Mark And Reward Training."
This approach invites you to be a better observer of your dog’s behavior. We often miss the small but important moments when our dogs are making good choices. SMART training encourages us to recognize and reward those positive behaviors, reinforcing them in real time.
How Does SMART Training Work?
It’s all about observation, timing, and consistency. Here’s how you can put it into practice:
See: Keep a close eye on your dog throughout the day and be aware of the behaviors you want to reinforce. Maybe your dog is quietly lying on their bed or sitting nicely instead of jumping on guests. These are all moments worth noticing.
Mark: Use a clicker or a verbal marker like "Yes!" as soon as you see your dog making the right choice. This is the key to effective timing. By marking the behavior in the moment, your dog learns exactly what action earned them that reward.
Reward: After marking the behavior, immediately follow up with a treat or some other form of reward your dog loves. This could be a tasty snack, praise, or even a game of fetch. The reward reinforces the behavior and motivates your dog to repeat it in the future.
This doesn’t mean you need to sit down for a long training session. Instead, SMART training spreads over your day, allowing you to reinforce behaviors as they happen naturally. Over time, your dog will start making these choices more frequently because they’ll begin to want the rewards.
Example: How It Looks in Action
Let’s say your dog is hanging out on their bed instead of jumping on the furniture. You notice this behavior and immediately mark it with a "Yes!" and reward them with a treat. Your dog, over time, will begin to associate staying on the bed with positive rewards, and you’ll likely see them doing it more often on their own.
A Simple Practice You Can Start Today
One of the best things about SMART training is that it’s easy to implement in your daily routine. Here’s how you can get started:
Carry a clicker or teach your dog a verbal marker (like “Yes!”) that they can associate with good behavior.
Have treats handy or use part of your dog’s regular meals as training rewards.
Look for opportunities to reward good behavior throughout the day—when your dog chooses to lie down calmly, sit quietly, or follow a command.
To track your progress, consider keeping a simple chart to mark how many positive behaviors you notice each day. Over time, you’ll likely see more and more good behavior from your dog, and your training sessions will become more seamless.
See the Results
The more you practice SMART training, the more your dog will begin to offer good behaviors on their own. Whether it’s better manners, less jumping, or more focus during walks, the beauty of this method is that it teaches your dog to make good decisions because they want to, not because they have to.
Have you tried SMART training with your dog? How are they doing? Are you noticing more positive behaviors? We’d love to hear about your experiences and see how SMART training is making a difference in your dog’s behavior.
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