I’m a puzzle person, and proudly admit I get obsessed with jigsaw puzzles. Last night while my daughter and I finished a puzzle, I realized something. The process of completing a puzzle is analogous to changing an unwanted behavior in our dogs.
The puzzle that my daughter and I completed was a log cabin, surrounded by flowers, on a lake. When we started it, we completed the outside edges first. By doing so, the size of the puzzle was set and the foundation was determined to see what goes where. We used the box of the puzzle, or the “big picture,” to complete this step.
Our next step was to assemble the most obvious pieces of similar colors and patterns. We began with the surrounding flowers and grassland around the cabin. Along the way, we noticed other patterns in our puzzle and made piles of similar pieces, but continued working on the easiest elements first. By doing so, we both experienced immediate satisfaction and success.
By making a small shift in our perspectives, we no longer focused on the big picture.
In the final stage of puzzling and without even realizing it, we sat in seats where the puzzle was no longer right side up, but upside down and sideways. Since all the pieces were the same color, we looked at each piece by its individual shape and minute color patterns. As a result, we honed in on specific nuances that we hadn’t previously noticed and were able to complete the puzzle in record time.
Applying this same idea relative to dogs, if our “big picture” is a calm dog when guests arrive at the house, break down this idea and focus on one component at a time.
Instead of tackling a dog’s overall excitement, barking and jumping (i.e. the puzzles’ cabin, flowers, and the lake) when people enter, address one component, the barking, first. As a person arrives, and even if the dog is barking, take a handful of treats and start feeding the dog, dropping treats on the ground as well. It’s very difficult for a dog to bark and eat at the same time. As a result, the barking often stops as the eating starts. Once the new person enters, continue to drop treats on the ground, changing the dog’s focus. Now the person can enter with reduced fanfare around the front door, not perfection.
Instead of going big, go small. By making minor shifts in your goals with your dog, you will achieve success faster.
If this small adjustment is practiced even once a day, your dog will start to anticipate treats on the ground when people enter the house. The dog’s overall behavior will also start to change. When a guest enters, the dog’s energy will be focused downward, in anticipation of treats falling from the sky. Hence, decreasing the likelihood that they will jump.
By addressing one component of the problem at a time, we have actually started modifying others.
My golden rule for dog greetings is “4 on the floor.” At a minimum, I train my dogs to keep all four feet on the ground. They are free to move around, circle, and quietly show their excitement. In fact, it’s the circling and tail wagging that people enjoy the most, resulting in wonderful words of praise and petting. Actually, that’s all I expect of my dogs, no need for them to go to their beds, or even sit patiently. When I greet a welcomed visitor, I want to show them that I’m happy to see them, our dogs should be able to do the same.
In conclusion, next time you want to address a behavior problem with you dog, break it down into smaller [puzzle] pieces and address the easy stuff first. Often times, with one minor shift in your perspective and action, your dog can quickly learn that calmness wins every time!
