One of the most powerful truths in dog training is UNDERSTANDING “YOU GET WHAT YOU REWARD”, not what you want your dog to do. Dogs learn through consequences, and their behavior is shaped by what consistently results in attention, access, or reinforcement. Without realizing it, we often reinforce behaviors we don’t like simply because we’re responding automatically rather than intentionally.

A common example is verbal scolding. Many pet parents believe that saying “No!” or raising their voice will stop unwanted behavior. However, for many dogs—especially those who enjoy interaction—attention of any kind can be reinforcing. From the dog’s perspective, jumping, barking, or pestering worked because it caused a response. This highlights the importance of UNDERSTANDING “YOU GET WHAT YOU REWARD” and choosing responses that align with the behavior you actually want to see.

Body language also plays a big role. Raising hands to block a jumping dog may feel logical to us, but dogs often interpret moving hands as something to engage with. Instead of discouraging jumping, it can actually invite more of it. Keeping hands low and neutral until all four paws are on the floor helps ensure your attention is reinforcing calm behavior—not chaos.

At the heart of effective training is self-awareness. Dogs are constantly observing eye contact, tone, posture, and movement. UNDERSTANDING “YOU GET WHAT YOU REWARD” means pausing to ask: What just happened in the environment? What did I do immediately after? Becoming a “truth detective” helps uncover accidental reinforcers that trigger unwanted behavior.

Finally, successful training requires empathy. Dogs aren’t being stubborn or difficult—they’re responding to what has worked before. As trainers, it’s our responsibility to adjust the environment, timing, and reinforcement so learning is clear. UNDERSTANDING “YOU GET WHAT YOU REWARD” empowers us to guide behavior intentionally and help dogs succeed in ways that make sense to them.

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