After a previous post about finding unusual motivators that might with challenging dogs, I received an inquire asking how they could use the Premack Principle with their dog to reinforce loose leash walking. I figured this might be a question many people might be wondering about so I decided to take Loker out on a walk and demonstrate it first hand.
In the case of loose leash walking, the low probability behavior is not pulling to go sniff. With Loker, I find that he tends to sniff a LOT because it is his “go-to” calming signal. During our walks, I allow him to have some sniff time to help calm him down and to relieve himself. I use a release word that has already been conditioned so he knows he can do as he pleases. Check out the video below that has three examples of using the Premack Principle during my daily walk.
