Yesterday I launched my new venture – Bright Dogs. It’s been a big step and it was with some trepidation that I pressed the share button to send Bright Dogs into the big wide world. I wasn’t feeling very confident, and I wasn’t sure I was making the right decision. But then the likes came in thick and fast, and the supportive comments and messages; and my feelings of anxiety and uncertainty left me to be replaced with happiness and optimism! Hurrah! Maybe I have made the right choice!

Well, that’s all well and good but what on earth has it got to do with actually training dogs? Those ‘likes’ are the rewards we give our dogs, and the comments and messages were the jackpots – telling me that I’m going in the right direction, am making good choices and giving me the confidence to keep going. I’ve always taught that we need to create positive associations and let dogs know when they are doing the right thing but never before have I had such a strong example in my own life that demonstrated just how clearly rewarding can change not just behaviour, but how an individual feels about something. I know I’m not the first to make this connection, but it really is true that until you experience this kind of learning you don’t know just how powerful it is.

So the ‘likes’ and comments have slowed up, and the comments are fewer, now the initial flurry of excitement has gone. But I’m not feeling any less happy or confident. I had such a good start, it’s given me a ‘confidence cushion’ to fall back on, and the ‘likes’ are still coming in from time to time, replenishing that ‘stock’ of happiness. However, every time I train a dog now, or work with someone training their own dog, I’ll think back to this experience and know just how powerful a ‘like’ – or a treat – is!

I’m off to ‘like’ some posts now. Enjoy your Bright Dogs!