Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett Training Tips From Susan: Why Ranking Reinforcements Is The Key To More Motivated, Focused, & Successful Dog Training Sessions
Aug 13, 2025
Discover how ranking different rewards transforms dog training sessions. Learn why your dog's motivation is like currency and how to use it effectively. Explore the impact of desensitization to common rewards and why varied motivators can boost engagement. This quick guide offers actionable strategies to make your training more focused and successful!
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Reinforcement As Motivational Currency
- Reinforcement is motivational currency to your dog.
- Understanding its value is central to training success.
Match Reward Value To Task
- Rank rewards by value before training so you can match reward to task difficulty.
- Use higher-value reinforcements for harder or longer tasks to increase motivation.
Golden Retriever Story Shows Overuse Problem
- Susan shared a story about a young couple training a golden retriever puppy.
- They used the same treat (Bill Jack) everywhere and saw poor training progress despite it being a high-value reward.