Teaching Your Dog to Make Good Decisions

Take your dog from completely untrained to 100% OFF-LEASH trained in 8 weeks: www.hamiltondogtraining.co/
A key philosophy in our training system is allowing the dog to make their own decisions.
Many people fall into the habit of micromanaging their dog, and as a result, the dog never learns how to make good choices on their own.
Sometimes, it’s important to allow the dog to make a choice, then show them the consequences of that decision.
Dogs are consequence based learners. They will repeat behaviors that lead to reinforcement, and stop behaviors that lead to punishment.
If your communication is clear and your consequences are consistent, you can shape your dogs behavior over time.
The end result is a dog you can trust to make good decisions without needing to give them commands or micromanage them.
NUANCE: Don’t apply to everything. This is simply a “tool” you can put in your “dog trainer tool box” and maybe utilize in the future when the right conditions arise. Don’t try and apply this to everything.
As a parent, your job is to teach your child how to make good decisions - Does this mean you allow them to make every decision? Does this mean you never make decisions for them? Of course not. It’s the same with dogs.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - What is a good decision?
03:25 - Why is this important?
08:15 - How do you do it?
10:07 - Example 1
18:31 - Example 2
21:13 - Example 3
23:27 - Nuance

[@SomeMinorDogTraining]

For anyone reading this: I know that dog training can be difficult sometimes, but you're doing great. Keep up the good work, and your dog (and your own sanity) will thank you for it! ❤️💕

[@sbm1763]

What is a reasonable punishment?

[@janets203]

@@sbm1763 Yes I would like to know this too as my dog lunged at another dog today and attacked it (the lead slipped from my hand, totally my unfortunate mistake). How should I have 'punished' my dog because it could have turned out bad (there were no bite marks or blood but still not great). If you could please reply Miles I would be forever grateful. 🙏

[@SomeMinorDogTraining]

@@sbm1763 That really depends on what the dog did and when. This video might help to clear it up a bit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6uTeaiiq5igfNksi=XHXq4J5Pc9_QoC2-

[@SomeMinorDogTraining]

@@janets203 You want to work on that before getting into the situation. So I would work on loose leash walking, as well as what I like to call "Existence Socialization." This is the dog's ability to be around stimuli without feeling the need to interact with it. This video goes into more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpKvdq2Zmbh_aJo

[@TheLordFollower]

Please help me I have American Eskimo miniature, he chews through his leaches He broke 7 with his death How to stop this He is 17 months

[@gloriajean2226]

The missing piece in this is clarifying “punishment” in various circumstances.

[@noellenoli7129]

I’m curious about that too

[@sz2459]

Probably leash pressure?

[@joyfulk9services]

Positive or negative punishment. That could be a whoooooole other video in itself 😂 he may even have one on it. Tools and strategies are endless and what is "punishing" to the dog varies from dog to dog. Likely why he couldn't fit it in here lol

[@bubbles-1020]

Yes, please!

[@teridaniels3269]

I also must add, that I am enjoying my dog more and more as he learns how to make better decisions. I used to get so frustrated with him and felt inadequate. Now with better tools and knowledge, I'm not stressed and feel we're making a lot of progress.

[@lauracollins5298]

Miles, I love your methods. I am a retired teacher, and you are an excellent teacher!! Thank you for sharing your program and common sense approach to educating dog owners and our dogs. ❤ My reactive GS is starting to move from fear aggressive responses to more curiosity and tail wagging at a lower position and smiling. I am so excited that she is growing in her confidence and having more rewarding daily experiences. Thank you for your guidance.

[@plsdi111]

Hi! I want to let you know, that your content is really valuable. I watch a lot of training videos with Tom Davis, or with Dogdaddy, etc. They train really well, but as these are full training sessions made 20 minutes short videos, they don’t have the time to dig in this deep into the reasons behind their methods. As I watch your videos they make me better understand why they do the things they do. Thank you very much for these useful contents!

[@joyfulk9services]

DD is cool to watch but could never break down what he's doing in simplified technical training training terms like this, & if he did it wouldn't be free lol it'd like how Cesar Milan just does what he does but transferring it that way to the owner is very difficult-but both of them use a heavy amount of negative reinforcement 😂 this guy does the opposite in this video- he's able to explain and break it down and there is not even a dog demonstration in it 😂😂 Tom Davis is very social media based, it's his passion. So most of his best work is paid or in person-his podcasts are valuable too, some of them. Listening to his private sessions are a nice perspective. But his videos are mainly entertainment purposes at this point. Very different approaches-its great for all kinds of learners. You can tell this guy has a genuine passion for teaching and educating owners and not just the dogs. You can also tell hes taken a couple high end training programs, he knows his stuff. Love this guy ❤

[@plsdi111]

@@joyfulk9services I think you criticize them too much. All of these trainers are really professional, they also have videos where they explain things pretty deeply. I don't know why you say DD is free, he's always full of clients, and it's fcking expensive to have a session with him.

[@ellieraggs]

This is so helpful. The thing I struggle with is letting my dog go means she is possibly lunging at another dog. Other dogs and owners really don't appreciate that. Distance is key, which can be hard to get in a neighborhood setting. But this method makes so much sense! Thank you.

[@cakenpie]

But what’s the punisher? For example, with your squirrel example?

[@nataliabondarenko5849]

Great video! I struggle all the time with those "sit" and "heel" when my dog reacts. Though all trainers offer it as the only way to work with his reactivity I always felt it does not work.

[@GroovyGeek]

Thank you so much for sharing all this content. Within 2 days my dog's leash reactivity has started to turn around

[@primalperry5667]

I love this point of "punish or reward the decision". It simplifies things soooo much! I find that my attempts at corrections is a big part of my failure. Attempting to correct often doesn't seem to apply enough of an aversive effect to make a change

[@pumpkinmiley]

Thank you so much for explaining this in this way!!

[@sabrydemarchi3618]

Thank you Miles for all your videos. That helped me really a lot to understand some concepts that were not clear during my dog trainer school here in Italy. I passed successfully my exam also thanks to you. And I always follow your videos cause you explain so well and more refresh is really a plus! Hope one day you'll come to Italy to make a seminary, and I'll be there! Thanks for all great and clear contents.

[@kyler0820]

I really wish you were my professor for all of my classes

[@noellenoli7129]

So many requests for examples of punishments…. Could you oblige?? Thanks!

[@jacquelineskudutis2129]

Love ur videos..I've been implementing ur style for a little while now, with actual results.. I've tried many styles in the past and urs works...ty ty ty 😀 Australia 🇦🇺

[@2871kittycat]

I am so enjoy your video, extremely throughout detailed information delivered to a dog owner/handler who needed to know. I look forward to join the online training, can't wait and look forward to it.

[@karltemple1971]

Really helpful video and makes so much sence now. We have a reactive dog and for ages I have been reinforce alternative behaviour, like cross the road if another dog coming or holding the lead tight so the dog is close and distract with a treat... rather than allowing "freedom of response". Now we are loose leash walking and allowing our dog to decide its behaviour and then punish or reward... and it's working 👍 thanks so much I highly recommend your videos.

[@teridaniels3269]

I appreciate the extreme clarity! Thank you again Miles for excellent lesson. I am always trying to distract or make decision for my dog when he reacts. He no longer chases squirrels, so somehow I must have 'accidentally' trained that. This all makes sense!

[@lauracollins5298]

My dog's " job" at home( she's a working line GSHEPHERD) is Squirrel Patrol. She goes out to the back yard about 4-5 x. each day to do her job. I am always observing at door ir also outdoors. I garden. She trees the squirrels. She gets her exercise and fulfills her drive. Now, when on a walk she sees squirrels but doesn't lunge after them I believe it's because she's on her prong collar and I tell her to leave it. But at home I praise her for " doing her job". It makes her happy and proud. She NEVER barks in house at anything. She never chews, counter surfs, or pulls on the walk. She has her job and I see that she gets 2 walks a day-- often one of these at the park where she can run on a 30 ft line. She's dog( leash) reactive but that has been reduced with continuing hous effort on my part.

[@renocamo]

Great video. This is how I approach training from a philosophy perspective and it’s really great to see it all laid out in such a clear and actionable manner, great vid.

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RustyPowell]

Nice video and great explanations.

[@amandalockwood6650]

Thankyou, i tried this and it was successful and i have more trust in my dogs to make good decisions!

[@sethinthecity4924]

I'm looking forward to miles videos every week! I have a rescue dog from spca and she's super reactive and your videos have been so amazing thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Happy to hear that!

[@katebrits3461]

hi i just want to say that your teaching methods are fantastic, you have stuch a talent with dogs i can see jsut as how u speek of them in a example u paint sutch a good picture bcs u so experienced with it

[@ziiontv7490]

Thank you for another incredible video Miles! Do you think you could cover puppies at some point or do you cover this in your online program at all ?

[@hamiltondogtraining]

We will make puppy content at some point! We’ve just got a lot on our to-do list at the moment 😅 Our online program covers obedience for dogs 6+ months old 💪

[@csrnibbler9912]

Another great informative and well thought out video. I really like your explanation of how people try to punish an event that has already transpired in the dog's mind as being outside of that consequence loop and therefore is just confusing to the dog. Makes me think of things like people that come home and find a puppy puddle on the floor and they think that rubbing the dogs nose in it will teach them not to do it. Your dog is just going to think that you are batshit and that you just go off on them for no dang reason.

[@Amapramaadhy]

I’m really beginning to worry about Fido. We should all chip in to pay for his training. 😂

[@JorieLawtonmusic]

Awesome explanations thank you! I will appreciate some exemples of punishment? Because when your on walk there is no much to do … thank you 🙏

[@germanquijano3315]

Thanks! you are teaching me how to understand mi Cattle dog! What would be a god correction?

[@stutzman9196]

Your videos have completely changed my dog and I’s relationship. Thank you! And btw, what digital notebook are you using in the video for your notes? Remarkable?

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Freeform on iPad!

[@joda7771]

I really appreciate your videos! Your message goes directly into my heart. 🙌🏻 Thank you 🙏🏻

[@mandyliu3537]

21:47 how could you know it so exactly 😅? I once had a trainer telling me to do that, and I did it diligently and no matter how many days & months passed, it never worked. Until one day I lost my temper and yelled at my fido, she suddenly learned! I never find using treats ever work effectively for obedience training. It is good to initially mark the behavior. Later dogs know the command already but do not follow, then that is where treats barely work. Obedience is obedience, dog cannot choose follow or not follow. Otherwise it is not obedience training.

[@clew5687]

I download all your stuff to keep , as I have a fear it'll disappear from YT. Sir, your breakdowns and explanations are like gold. You are a fantastic teacher.

[@SamiraSaoud-nl2cp]

I am really enjoying your training videos. I was wondering where/how you learned your training? Was it at specific school/course/teacher/etc.?

[@Iris-2022]

So what does “punishment” look like?

[@amywilliams3158]

What would you use as the punisher?

[@nyjmacny]

I can’t wait for more videos from you. Next up 🐕

[@my3kids1021]

Hi, I have been working with my 18 mo. GSD being neutral when we pass houses that have dogs in their yard barking at us as we pass. She’s been doing good (better, improving!) to the point where she looks at them with her ears up (her curious look), and will walk with me (she does still veer a little in their direction a bit, but our progress is always forward and she’s not lunging or pulling me towards them), and she doesn’t bark at them as we pass - she just seems like she's on alert. She has gotten to the point where she will look at them, then look at me or at something else (where I will then mark and reward her). However, yesterday as we passed a house where I know the little dog is on an electric fence (the owner told me the last time it charged at us), it came charging at us, barking and making a huge fuss, and it was much closer to the road than I thought it should be (not sure if the ‘fence’ goes that close to the shoulder or if it was disabled or not functioning). Don’t worry though, its owner came to the door, called it back with a “treat”. Anyways, Sascha and I both thought the dog was coming for us, and she reacted (lunged, barked, hackles up - the works). My question: Was I right or wrong in correcting this in this situation? Is the reactivity corrected every time in every circumstance, or when we both seriously felt threatened, was it justified and I should have just carried on as neutrally as possible (like no corrections and no reinforcement from me)? Help...feeling confused.

[@57colliegirl]

Give the " leave it" command prior to your dog reacting, keep walking and say come on- let's go!. . If your dog listens and doesn't growl or lunge, after a few moments mark the desired behavior with the marker " yes!". Give treats and praise. Continue walking. If the dog chooses to react, you need to correct with " no". Pop the leash. But be sure you give the leave it command and waiting to see their behavior choice BEFORE correcting the dog. be consistent. 😁

[@my3kids1021]

@@57colliegirl Thank you for being so clear - much appreciated!!

[@frohsmohswainaksfst]

Thank you so much for your valuable clear explanations. So simple. Anyway, now I desperately want to know your method of punishing the dog which has decided to chase the squirrel. Probably you let him make his decision when still on on the leash? Somehow me and my poor dog get lost in my tries to follow up on the undesirable behaviour with the right consequence. 😢

[@shirinw]

🙏

[@boooshes]

Release from a heel or sit or stay. Not released from the leash or long line.

[@user-ex7lq8kf8n]

PLEASE HELP!!! what are healthy ways to punish???!!! I have a very small (15 pound) Shih tzu/ Mini poodle mutt who is almost 2 years old, and very stubborn. No harness pulls, or dog whistle, verbal punishment works. I've used every type of harness and collar/leash except a prong collar bcuz they don't make them that small, and nothing helps. PLEASE HELP!

[@watchmoivies123]

Love this and I can’t believe how easy dog training could be. It’s just that we make it hard. But I do have a question When the dog chooses to run after the squirrel and you’re correct, the dog weather on a prong collar Or electric do you say a word also

[@joda7771]

Personally I would say a firm NO just before the punishment.

[@watchmoivies123]

@@joda7771 OK thank you very much. I wanted to say a strong word because eventually maybe that’s all I have to do is say the word and then eventually get rid of the word.

[@skyrhinoceros]

Yup. Social pressure from the verbal marker/punisher that the dog associates with the correction helps a lot

[@lauracollins5298]

Say Leave it and wait a moment to give the dog the opportunity to choose to leave it. If they do not, then the correction comes next.

[@Golferguy1]

If possible could you do a video on some stories of your clients success stories and how and when their dogs progressed with your online course? I am thinking of getting your online course but just want to see some detailed success stories before I pull the trigger on a big financial commitment. I understand that training a dog is not a liner progression and does not happen all at once with a magic fix.

[@hamiltondogtraining]

We will 100% do this!

[@douglasardis2939]

My doberman won't bark at anything if it is in front of him or if he is on a leash. But he just barks and barks and barks if he is loose in the fenced back yard and there is any stimuli behind it. How do I stop that?!

[@davidmurphy9671]

I have been using this approach for dog reactivity and sometimes I feel like the owner of the other dog thinks I am being harsh on my dog for correcting her for reacting based on the looks I get. I need to use some pretty strong leash corrections to get her attention. How do you deal with other peoples' reaction to harsh corrections or do you just not worry about it?

[@lauracollins5298]

Don't worry w0hat other people think. Period. You are training YOUR dog. It's no one's business what your methods are.....

[@deanne.m.sanderson]

I had my own business as a people trainer for their dogs. I used these methods in the 80s and 90s. I had many dirty looks and one person make a report to animal control. The officer told me she wished more people took responsibility and trained their dogs.

[@watchmoivies123]

So do you mean stepping into the dog or not allowing him to get to where he wants to go?

[@fitguy6288]

@hamilton Examples 1 and 2 are off leash situations. Can you punish without an e-collar? If so, how would you do that? E-collars are illegal in some countries. Thanks for some insight/suggestions, Video is excellent btw, thanks!

[@daubal]

Awesome videos! What do you do when you let your dog have freedom of decision and they hit the end of the leash - hard - sprinting after same dog behind the same fence every walk when the dog is in the back yard? Doggie isn't always in the back yard but its not easy when it is .... ( 2.5-yr old dog, 3-6 walks a week)

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Once they decide to react, you apply a punisher to that behavior. Watch our dog reactivity video on YT

[@edwincruz4553]

I love your videos but I think you should use “Correction” instead of punishment lol. Keep up the good work.

[@deanne.m.sanderson]

If parents just learned these points.

[@OllyOptimist]

I'm confused.. if they run after the "squirrel" they get their own reinforcement. But if you let them choose and they chase it then you give punishment...but how.... That's what I'm searching for 😭 if you don't tell them to sit ect, can't avoid the problem, don't let them do it but also just let them choose? Helpppp what

[@louisejeffries7155]

I’ve missed a step Allow dog to decide whether to Chase squirrel Dog chases squirrel So punishment The step I’ve missed is what’s an appropriate punishment

[@KevinORourke25]

Great video, but could you tell me specifically waht kind of punishment you are talking about. My dog will react to a squirrel or another dog one day and I punish him by pulling him away in a very strong manner and shout "leave it" and he does. He may "leave it" for the next day or two and he gets rewared then after a few days of rewards for desirable behavior he resorts to reacting to the squirrel or dog again. He is a Pit bull/cattle dog mix so i'm sure some of this is instinctive.

[@rachelhuynh2293]

I think an important question would be; What do you do when he sees the squirrel for those 1 to 2 days and doesn’t chase/react at them? Are you reinforcing that good decision? It’s important him to show him that THAT is the desired behavior.

[@hamiltondogtraining]

If he keeps reverting to the reactive behavior, you are either: A) not actually punishing the reactive behavior B) not reinforcing the desired behavior Be black & white in your communication

[@adrianalopez464]

How do you punish the dog when jt is chasing the squirrel? E-collar? Or a high NO would do it?

[@simonmitchell5801]

Jekyll and Hyde reinforcement. Funny how any qualified ATI can work with larger and more powerful creatures without the use of punishment. I’m guessing you’ve never trained using predation substitution before? You might also want to read skinners contingencies of reinforcement because you’ve also missed some critical elements

[@ranjitnarula8396]

what is not clear is eg in the squirrel example. The dog chases the squirrel and when he completes the action i punish the dog. But how is that different when you initially commented that screaming at a dog after the event confuses the dog. What is the way one handles this through an example

[@hamiltondogtraining]

I see, I see. Next time, I’ll give a human child example instead of a dog example haha 😂

[@boooshes]

No, the punishment comes immediately when he makes the poor decision, not after he completes the wrong behavior.

[@nicksand5258]

Okay great video. But what is an appropriate punishment for a dog? You don’t explain that at all.

[@lukeryuzaki2328]

It was explained in pine of the video. To paraphrase it, you reach a punishment level when the pressure you apply on the dog resulting in the dog offer submissive behavior.

[@SuperFrangelica]

I thought you said if he already chased the squirrel it was reinforcement for him because he got that prey drive out and fulfilled it. So isn’t it too late to punish him if you let him do that first. That’s a little confusing.

[@skyrhinoceros]

Timing is everything. Applying a punishment right at the moment the dog makes the bad decision will put a limit on the momentum and reinforcement they gain from that bad decision. Letting them react and punishing effectively within a second or two has worked well for me.

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Punishment happens right when the dog engages in the behavior that you are punishing. But again, this video is not about squirrel reactivity at all. That will be a dedicated video

[@zsahe21]

!!!!!!!!

[@OllyOptimist]

How do you accurately punish reactive behaviour? Can't just let my poodle run off and then try and reinforce...I'm missing something and it's so stressful

[@OhNaturel21]

Punish with corrections. Reward with treats or praise, petting the dog when they are in that state just gets them more amped up in my experience. Just my thoughts, not a professional, just watch lots of his videos and punishment is always in the form of a correction. Verbal correction in this case doesn't get high enough on the punishment scale you will need to diminish the behaviour.

[@rhammond7517]

Why is it all way about off leashed? If you're on a farm or fenced yard cool ,but I live in the city no way I'm walk-in my dog off leash life is to unpredictable in the city

[@hamiltondogtraining]

Because that’s what we do! 😉 A dog you can take off-leash anywhere with 100% reliable obedience is our definition of a “trained dog”.

[@sabrydemarchi3618]

Thank you for asking, i'm living in a city too and my dog is quite always on leash (mandatory here in north Italy). But following Miles videos I'm starting day by day to look for spots where I can walk him off leash (little streets, car parking early in the morning) and hopefully doing this little by little every day and increasing it, on the right places I'll be able one day to let him enjoy the environment off leash making good decisions. Big target for us, big work little by little, big hope in results.

[@charalamposkarydas3694]

​@@hamiltondogtrainingand what if dog can recognise when wears normal collar,chain,prong and decides based on what tool you are using 🤔

[@lukeryuzaki2328]

@@charalamposkarydas3694 you know that you outsmart even the smartest dog, don't you? It's not rocket science. It's easy to not let you dog know what type of tool deliver the correction. Can you graduate a dog to obey without any kind of leash, collar in unfamiliar environment and around strangers? Yes.

[@lukeryuzaki2328]

Why? Because the obedience level required for off leashed is the same level you would want for your dog, so you can navigate through the expected. Here is a scenario: a child falls into the drainage in front of you when you're walking your dog. You have less than 10 seconds to run and try to grasp the child before he/she gets sucked further down the drainage. Do you take time to tie your dog leash to something (what if there is nothing secured enough to tie the leash on?), or you wish you can reliably put your dog in place command to stay where it is; so you can help? I will have to throw in some shade on your ignorance here regarding the how you look down on farm life. Farm life is full of unpredictable and responsibility for the dogs too. Predators, venomous snake/animal, poison weed... can cahow up unwelcomed. Nobody can check every inch of a farm especially those in hundred or thousand acres range everyday. Farmed dogs are more often than not well trained in their own way. You think Border Collies, German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Husky, golden retriever, lab, Yorkie, Jack Russel Terrier... were selectively bred for city life pet dog purpose? Or they suddenly develops prey drive as pet dog in the city, while they have no prey drive living on farm around prey animals? If you choose to live with your ignorance is a bliss lifestyle, keep it to yourself, and shut it. Nobody ask for your opinion.

[@kathyweist9236]

Oh my. ! You want me to release my dog if she dhows reactivity yo another dog on a walk? I need to watch video #2 then to watch what the interaction/ punishment would be

[@xDipakx]

Smart video ...how are you punishing behaviour? This sounds like fear based dog training, pretty brutal...we all know how kids react temporarily to fear but when they rebuke, good luck....smart video, stating a solution without explaining how, I wonder why?? How you punishing a vulnerable, dependant creature for making poor decisions when youve not taught it what a good decision is? Tragic dog training ...let me punish you for not making "correct decisions" that ive not taught you to make ...so in helping them first to decide better youre reinforcing that, so why not continue?