Training with Heart & Cookies

31/07/2025

It's not about the treat, its about the behavior!

“I tried positive reinforcement, but it didn’t work.”
That’s a common phrase, but it’s actually not accurate. Just because you give your dog a treat does not mean you are using positive reinforcement!

⭐ Positive reinforcement is an OUTCOME, not a methodology, as far as behavior principles are concerned.

A behavior that has been reinforced is a behavior that, after a particular outcome (aka, result or consequence), occurs more frequently. Learning is about behavior patterns, and the only way we, as trainers and behavior specialists, can determine if a behavior has been learned in the way we intended is to observe whether the behavior increases or decreases in frequency. In other words, what does the animal do next?

A reinforced behavior is one that gets repeated. A behavior that gets repeated is one that has been reinforced.
And here’s the important part: that reinforcement is often not tied to what you, as the trainer, thought you were teaching or “reinforcing.”

If you're trying to reinforce Behavior A in a specific situation but Behavior B keeps happening instead, then positive reinforcement isn’t being used effectively.
In fact, reinforcement is happening, just not for the behavior you intended.
How do you know? By simply watching your pet’s behavior patterns.
What happened after you tried to reinforce Behavior A? What behavior showed up next? That’s where the real reinforcement lies.

At Synergy, whether we are working with aggressive behavior or training in scent work, our trainers always consider this question: What is reinforcing this behavior?
It is almost always about an animal attempting to meet their emotional and physical needs. Once we answer this question, we are then able to help meet this animal’s needs in a way that also meets the human’s needs- and because we understand the principles of reinforcement, we never have to utilize pain or fear to accomplish this goal.

Reinforcement drives behavior!

29/07/2025

This is why I'm involved with this program.. the gift of healing, and Hope

A rare glimpse at behind the scenes at Augusta State Medical Prison and the inmates that save lives.

Hope and her handler💕

She was broken in every way — body, spirit, and will. He had just received heartbreaking news of his own.

They found each other at rock bottom.

Since that moment, Hope and her handler have been inseparable. He prayed over her when she couldn’t lift her head. He held on when she had nothing left to give.

And now? She’s fighting. She’s healing. Because someone finally loved her enough to believe she was worth saving.

Two souls. One journey.
They’re saving each other.

"Love is the bridge between two hearts that refuse to give up."

28/07/2025

It's almost 9 pm and it's 95°. Tomorrow will be even hotter! Outside activities should be limited for both people and pets.

Signs of heat stroke in your pup- be aware and seek veterinary care ASAP.
• Anxiousness
• Elongated tongue
• Flattened, retracted ears
• Narrowed eyes
• Shade seeking
• Excessive panting where the molars are easily visible and drooling – especially thick ropey saliva
• Vomiting or diarrhea (sign of more serious heat injury)
• Abnormal gum and tongue color (dark red)
• Unsteadiness/collapse (collapse is indication of an emergency)

Stay cool and stay safe...Aslan and Cinnamon will be in the pool whenever we venture outside!

27/07/2025

Sweet little Hope ...in a world that can be so harsh it's amazing that such gentle care and kindness is hidden behind prison walls. But healing and miracles happen, and with this program, it seems like they are become the standard! Please help support her care by donating ( link in the original post). I never know what pups are joining the program until I get there each week, but each new addition is proof of the magic that happens between inmate and the pups in their care!

Her name is Hope.
And her story is one that will stay with us forever.

When found, she was nothing but skin and bone. So emaciated, so weak, that she was lying in the dirt, trying to eat it to survive. Most of her fur had fallen out from malnutrition. Her bloodwork was devastating. Severely anemic. Her body was shutting down. And her spirit… well, that was fading fast too.

She had given up.
But we hadn’t.

We knew there was only one person who could reach her.
Our lead handler in the prison program. A man who had just received heartbreaking news from the parole board. His future uncertain. His heart heavy.
And we thought… maybe they could help each other.

He named her Hope. Because that’s exactly what they both needed.

The incredible team at Rodgers Veterinary Clinic threw everything they had at her—medically, nutritionally, prayerfully. But it would come down to whether Hope could find the strength to fight.

Seven days have passed since her rescue.
Seven days of two broken souls refusing to let go.
Seven days of a man and a dog, side by side, quietly reminding each other: “We’re still here.”

Hope still has a long road ahead. At barely half the body weight she should be, her little body is fighting just to hold on. And through every hour of every day, her handler is by her side. He speaks softly to her. He gently holds her. And many times a day, he prays over her frail body, asking for strength, for healing, for one more sunrise.

She wouldn’t lift her head at the vet. Wouldn’t make eye contact.
But the moment we carried her into that prison yard, something happened.
Her head raised—just a little.
Like she knew she was safe.
Like she knew she had just met her person.

And from that moment on, they’ve been inseparable.

In a place many wouldn’t consider healing, two hearts are healing each other.

Because sometimes, the ones the world gave up on… are the ones who rise together.

Her name is Hope. And she’s fighting to live—because someone finally believed she was worth saving. 💔🐾

🙏 We ask that you lift both Hope and her handler in your prayers. They need every bit of strength and support right now.
If you feel moved to help us cover her ongoing medical care, donations can be made at: www.dognetworkingagents.org
Every prayer, every dollar, every ounce of love helps keep Hope alive.

"Sometimes, when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried… but you’ve actually been planted." 🌱

23/07/2025

I wasn't going to post this here, but.... 1- its good for a chuckle ( I did laugh when I got home and saw this, after I muttered a few choice words about how I was going to clean this up!) and
2- its a great example of when a problem is not about training, or even management, but owner error...

Aslan and Cinnamon decided to jump in the pool then roll around in the dirt shortly before I had to leave for training this morning. I didn't have time to give them a bath, so I wiped them down with a towel, gave them a cookie and headed out the door...clearly I thought I had wiped them down enough...and clearly, I had not!

The dogs did what they do every day when I'm gone...Aslan took a nap in the recliner and Cinnamon snoozed on the floor in front of the recliner...they have no awareness of being dirty or making a mess...they just napped the day away!

Did they make a mess- yep...
Would getting upset with them have made any difference? Nope....
Is this something training would have prevented? Not unless I could suddenly, and magically give them a sense of right/ wrong ( dogs are amoral, so they don't think that way).. and even that is a stretch

This was 100% a failure on my part...I could have prevented a big clean up by leaving them in the kitchen...or being late and taking more time to clean them up....

Sometimes as pet owners, we just have to accept that its our mistake...and do better the next time ( and maybe enjoy a chuckle while we're cleaning things up!)

23/07/2025

This page is an excellent resource for new or expecting Moms and Dads to help get their dogs ready for little ones....and to understand and prevent issues as your baby grows up!

22/07/2025

When you try to get that 1 good group picture....Train a Dog Save a Warrior teams meeting up to do some training... not only are the dogs life changing, but the support and encouragement that happens when they meet up together is priceless, and fun!

22/07/2025

21/07/2025

Stay cool and indoors today!! Too hot for outdoor training, and the pavement will be too hot for puppy paws!

A heat advisory has been issued for central and eastern Georgia tomorrow to account for heat index values from 105-109. Make sure to stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor activities when possible tomorrow! ☀️

20/07/2025

With this crazy hot weather, walks and hard exercise is just not safe for the pups ( or the humans). Dogs don't regulate temperature well and when it's this hot, heat injury is a risk not worth taking.

Kiddie pools and splash pads are a good option for some early morning play... Otherwise keep inside play interesting- puzzle games, some fun training like teaching new tricks , playing go find it with toys and treats.... Use enrichment to provide stimulation when activity isn't an option.

These two spent the early morning playing in their pool....now they're sleeping away like they worked hard all week to pay the mortgage!