The Power of YES

We all use different, though often similar, ways to tell our dog that he is a “good dog”. It makes us feel warm and loving toward our dog when he behaves in a manner that we like. And, our dog usually enjoys hearing us speak this love language with ears back, tail wags and kisses.

We communicate in various ways and have various types of conversations with our dogs. When we are teaching our dog a new behavior, we want to be as clear and effective as possible with that communication. That’s where the word “yes” comes into play.

A quick, one syllable word allows us to capture our dog in the exact moment he was doing a behavior that we like. When he understands that what he was doing when he heard “yes” is a behavior that we like (and therefore, something for which he will be rewarded), he is more likely to give us that behavior again! 

First, of course, we want to help our dog make the connection between the word “yes” and their behavior.

Let’s get started

Step one

Begin by pairing food with the word:

• Offer your dog a small treat (you can give from your hand or drop on the floor)

• As he takes it, say “Yes!”

• Repeat

• And, repeat again about twenty times or more

During this time, he can be laying on the couch with you, sitting by your side, standing - anything that isn’t barking, jumping or other undesirable behavior.

We start here to help your dog make an association between the word “Yes” and a food reward. For example, consider that your dog likely already has an association between a leash and going for a walk. (He sees you pick up the leash and dances excitedly at the door.) How did that happen? Each time you picked up the leash, you took your dog out for a walk. Without working at it, and just through repetition, your dog learned that leash = walk. Much this same way, we want the dog to understand that “Yes”= treat. 

Note: a treat can be anything from a piece of your dog’s regular kibble to a small piece of cheese, anything your dog finds yummy. Just small treats, the size of an M&M, or even smaller.

Step two

Later that same day, test your dog to see if, when he hears the word “Yes”, he then believes a treat is coming:

• When your dog is looking away from you or slightly distracted, say “Yes!” 

• If he quickly turns to look at you, then you know he has made the connection that “Yes” means a treat is coming

If your dog does not look to you expecting a treat when you say the word “yes!”, consider that:

• You need to repeat Step One above to help build an association between the word and getting a treat; and/or

• You may need higher value treats; and/or

• The environment is so stimulating that it is far more valuable than any food item.

Step three

Now that your dog is clear that the word “Yes” is always followed by a treat. We will say the word “Yes” the moment the dog does any behavior we like, such as:

• Your dog sits when you ask (You say “sit”, dog sits, you say “yes” and give treat)

• He walks nicely on leash (You say “yes” as he politely walks on leash and offer treat)

• He looks at something very exciting, such as another dog, and then looks away or looks at you (You say “yes” as he looks up at you, then offer treat)

• You call him to come and he comes running back to you (The moment he turns to come to you, say “yes!” and offer treat when he gets to you)

Ready to work!

You can say “Yes” anytime your dog is doing a behavior that you like.

• Think of the word “yes” as marking or capturing the moment your dog does something that you like.

• Say “yes” just once to capture that moment

• Offer a treat!

What if you already say “good boy/girl” to capture their good choices?

• Keep doing that!

• “Good boy/girl” = praise

• “Yes!” = marking the moment your dog does the good behavior

• “Good boy/girl” can sometimes be followed by a treat and sometimes not

• “Yes!” is always followed by a treat

No treats in your hands… until you say “yes!”

Mark their good behavior with “Yes!”, THEN reach for a treat. No need to have that treat in your hand until after their good behavior. Remember, we are rewarding their already good choice (first with “yes”, then with a treat), so no treat in your hand until after they’ve 1. done the good behavior, and 2. you’ve said “yes!”. 

The trick is to say “Yes” the moment he offers that good behavior. With this quick, single syllable word, we’re able to capture the dog’s behavior (with the sit, for instance, we say “Yes” the moment his butt hits the ground) and he can make the connection between what he was doing when he heard the word “Yes” so the treat can be delivered a second or two later. Whether you and your dog are attending group classes or you are spending time training your dog, this technique will help you get better results, faster because your dog will be more clear about what you want from him and all our relationships benefit from clarity in communication, right?!

In our work all over the country with many different people and dogs, we have heard over and over again that this one trick has helped immensely in training dogs to understand what we want from them and that it’s in their benefit to do as we want (did anyone say TREAT?!).

You may be surprised at how helpful this one word can be in allowing your dog to, voluntarily, offer more well-mannered behaviors. What could be better than that?!