Negotiating With Your…..Dog

Yes you read that right.  How to successfully negotiate with your dog.  You don’t have to speak English (or be human for that matter) to be able to negotiate.  In fact, it’s said that only 7% of the words we use in negotiations have effect.  38% is our tone and a whopping 56% is our facial and body language.  Our canine companions will respond most heavily to tone and body language.

Below are examples of basic negotiating terms and how they apply to successfully bargaining with your pup.

COMMON GOALS

The first thing to realize is that you and your dog generally have the same goals.  Whether it’s eating, playing, sleeping or pooping, you’re both on the same page.  Phew.  It’s much easier to go into negotiations with that in mind.  And it’s good to always remember-

THE GOLDEN RULE

Yep.  That age old adage of ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.  Put yourself into your pup’s shoes.  When you have a crazy chocolate craving and bust into your kids leftover Halloween candy, would you like your dog yelling at you and putting you in a time out?  Have a little patience.  A canine-human relationship is a long and rewarding one.

INTEREST BASED NEGOTIATING

You both have an interest to succeeding in these negotiations.  For example:  your pup loves to bark—or talk.  He talks to everyone.  The mailman, your kid’s friends, the squirrel that teases him through the window every night.  You, want some peace and quiet.  Even for a few hours.  Your negotiations are beneficial to you both.   This helps to know that both of you are not making outrageous requests.  And it helps to compromise a bit.  Maybe your pup isn’t getting outside enough?  Taking him for a walk or to the dog park can let out built up energy.  In turn, let him know that barking at 10 at night is not acceptable.  What strategy will work though?  Below are two approaches.  One is great, the other not so great.

REINFORCEMENT PRINCIPLE

The idea behind this principle is positive reinforcement.  Because dogs respond to our tone and facial/body language, it’s important to let them know when they do something good.  If they perch on the couch, ready to give the mailman an earful, firmly say their name.  When they look at you, indicate for them to get down.  If they listen, then smile or nod your head.  Give them a head scratch and say some positive words.  Dogs love to be rewarded.

RED HERRING

This technique involves falsely misleading the other.  If you take a treat out, and tell your dog to come down from the couch for a treat, and then don’t give it to him, this is a red herring.  It will build distrust between you and your pooch.  Not a good idea.

WIN-WIN

The ultimate goal is for you both to win.  And this can be achieved with small sacrifices. For example: you want to feed your dog healthy and nutrient packed food.  Your dog wants to eat steak and lobster.    To keep your pup from digging out last night’s dinner from the garbage because theirs was just too earthy, try giving him a doggy treat in the morning for a few days.  Then, if he still tears through the garbage, don’t give him one that next morning.  Dogs are smart.  He’ll figure out that being naughty with leftovers means no treat.   You get to keep feeding him the healthy stuff, and he gets a tasty morsel.

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