'Lessons from a dog handler has given me a new lease of life’
Reward-based training can work for humans too, right?
I’m learning a lot about dogs at the moment. I’ve been on the waiting list with a renowned dog breeder for a year now and my journalism skills have kicked in on the research since I’ve never had a dog before. This has mainly consisted of following dog breeders on social media and watching dog shows on Netflix. But I recently bought a book by award-winning “dog listener” Jan Fennell which has blown a lot of the other training advice out of the water. I’ll wait til I have my impeccably behaved pup before I start raving about her style but one of the things that has been consistent across the board in my research is the importance of reward-based training.
Also known as “positive reinforcement training”, reward-based training is, as it sounds. With dogs, the way it works is that the owner gives a food treat, a favourite toy or verbal praise when the dog performs the “good behaviour” she/he is being asked for. Reward-based dog training is focused on making the dog feel good about the choices they make. The dog responds to cues because doing so makes him or her feel good. We release dopamine when something makes us feel good. Dopamine is associated with feelings of bliss and also increased concentration and motivation. It’s also addictive. And it’s the same for dogs. The things that make them feel good quickly become habits.
I was thinking about this as I lay in bed this morning just after my alarm went off at 6am. Having just paid an extortionate amount of money to my local yoga studio in the name of health and fitness, I was well aware that I was due to get to my class by 7ish so I could get a full practice in. But my goodness does my bed feel good in the morning. Almost every morning I find myself bemoaning the wasted hours avoiding bedtime the night before. Did I really need to watch that final episode on Netflix? Was it entirely necessary to start a new conversation on WhatsApp which quickly became a succession of long voice notes and heated discussion on something I barely remember? I’m an early riser but have, in the past, had to remind myself that it’s normal to feel tired when I get out of bed in the morning...because I’ve been sleeping. And I laughed when I heard Chris Ramsey beef his wife on one of their shows on the Sh**ged Married Annoyed podcast, because she woke up every morning saying she was ill, when really, she was just tired. Lol.
Getting out of bed each day is obviously already a habit, because work, school, school run or the yoga mat are calling, whether we like it or not. But, and bear with me here, what if there was a reward for getting out of bed?! I had quite a strict upbringing so the concept of reward-based training for humans was far from Mumma’s radar (I blame all financial woes on the lack of headstart from undelivered chore money), but I feel like this could be the answer to my recent morning blues. I managed to drag my lead weight body out of bed this morning with a self-made promise. If I got to class on time and did a full practice, I would allow myself a (gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, non-coffee, non-chocolate, non-alcohol, refined sugar free) treat. It was actually a really great practice so I’ve now promised myself a new yoga outfit or mat if I attend every studio class this entire month. And I’ve seen the yoga mat I want so I’m ready!
I’m not embarrassed about using a method intended for dogs, on me, a supposed adult. Should I be? Maybe…! But life is so hard for so many of us at the moment. There’s a lot of stress and worry in the air. No wonder we don’t want to get out of bed. What would be an incentive to get you through an unwanted task? Your favourite dessert? An extra hour in bed the next day? A dinner plate from Anthropologie? (I see you Kate…) Do yourself a favour and treat yo’self! Go get that dopamine high to help you through and don’t feel ashamed for needing it. Life is a lot right now. Be kind to yourself. And your pup, if you have one.
Doll x