Training Moment: Reset, Choice, and Reinforcement
In this video, you’ll see Rex (the black Malinois) and Duke (the tan Malinois) starting out in a down.
Rex pops up and walks toward me — which is information, not disobedience.
Instead of correcting or punishing him, I:
- Asked him to back up
- Gave him a moment to think
- Asked for the down again
When Rex chose to lay back down, I marked that decision and reinforced both dogs by tossing two balls.
A few important things happening here:
• Rex wasn’t “being bad” — he was testing clarity
• The reset gave him a chance to succeed without pressure
• Duke was reinforced for staying in position
• Reinforcement was fair, clear, and motivating
• Both dogs stayed engaged and confident
This is what training with information, not intimidation, looks like.
Also worth noting — Rex and Duke are best friends and regulars at my daycare and boarding facility. They’re used to working around each other, which makes moments like this a great example of impulse control, clarity, and teamwork.
💬 Reflection question:
When your dog breaks a position, do you correct — or do you reset and try again?
Often, the reset teaches more than the correction ever could 💚
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Training Moment: Reset, Choice, and Reinforcement
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