Hello, gang! It’s Al the Dog Trainer. Today, I want to share two powerful questions that I constantly ask when I’m training dogs in Kingwood, Humble, and Houston. These questions help guide every part of the training process…from basic obedience to advanced skills.
Question 1: Speed and Attitude – “Why Should My Dog Want to Do That?”
The first question is about how quickly and happily your dog responds to commands.
I always ask myself, “Why should my dog want to do that?”
This question gets to the heart of motivation. When we use rewards-based training, we’re working with what the dog wants to do. A dog that wants to sit, down, or come is going to do it faster—and with way more enthusiasm.
But here’s the catch: the reward has to matter to your dog. If they don’t love the reward, they’ll get distracted or choose something else. That’s why it’s so important to learn what motivates your dog.
Question 2: Clarity and Reliability – “Why Does My Dog Have to Do That?”
Now for the second question: “Why does my dog have to do that?”
This question focuses on how clearly your dog understands a command—and how reliably they’ll follow it, especially when distractions are around.
This is where leash-based training can help. It gives your dog gentle guidance and helps them learn that certain choices are non-negotiable. While rewards build desire, the leash can build clarity.
This combo is especially helpful in busy areas like Houston, Kingwood, and Humble, where distractions are everywhere. Check out our British Slip Leads if you need help with leash training!
The Strategy: From Love to Clarity
Let me share a simple, effective two-step strategy I use in my training programs.
Step 1: Build Love for the Skill
First, get your dog to love the behavior you’re teaching.
Start in a quiet space with no distractions. This helps your dog stay focused and lets you reward them at the perfect moment. With time and consistency, your dog will become excited to perform the skill.
This early phase sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Step 2: Add Clarity with Leash Pressure
Once your dog enjoys the behavior, it’s time to teach clarity.
Here’s how to do that with a leash:
Stay Close: Be near enough to guide your dog right away if they don’t respond.
Give the Cue: Say the command. If your dog doesn’t move, gently use the leash to help.
Reward and Release: The moment they follow through, release any leash pressure and reward them.
This teaches a clear pattern:
Command → Leash guidance → Success → Reward.
What If They Get It Right Immediately?
Awesome!
If your dog hears the command and responds right away, you can give a tiny tap on the leash and then reward them. That light pop confirms they did it right and builds even more confidence.
Two Scenarios, One Goal
Here’s how it plays out:
Scenario 1 – Leash Guidance: Your dog hears the cue, feels the pressure, does the behavior, and gets rewarded. This teaches the meaning of the command.
Scenario 2 – Anticipation: Your dog hears the cue, performs the skill immediately, and the leash pop predicts the reward. This builds excitement and reliability.
Both approaches help your dog understand the command and love performing it.
Consistency Builds Trust
At the end of the day, these two questions—Why should my dog want to do that? and Why does my dog have to do that?—can guide every training session.
Ask them often, and apply them fairly.
When you do, not only will your dog improve, but your relationship with them will grow stronger. That’s the heart of what we do at Longoriahaus Dog Training. Helping families raise happy, reliable dogs with our dog training in Kingwood, Humble, and Houston.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next one!
