The Feels-Good Approach

Since we use reward based training, I wanted to share a concept that made sense to me. Puppies are opportunistic by nature, and they will usually make the "feel-good" choice whenever possible. So when we can make our desires coincide with their feel-good tendencies, we have good results.
How often has your puppy wiggled out of a sit? Well, wiggling feels good, and sitting doesn't feel nearly as good. Chase bunnies or come back to walk ho-hum slow beside you? What do YOU think feels better? Isn't it so that this is usually why training becomes so difficult? Getting the dog to focus on YOU instead of a million other things?
When we start acting frustrated and distracted, so do they. Heavens, when we focus and stay patient they get distracted! Part of the knack of training dogs is knowing when to give it a rest and let the pup percolate what he's learned. Play a bit with the little fellow at his level, then get back upright and back to business. Stand and ignore pup until he settles a bit at the end of your leash, thank him for settling, and go back to your trainer voice for a few more reps on whatever you're working on.
How to incorporate feel-good into your rewards system? Rewards isn't only the treat, it's the delivery as well. How delighted ARE you REALLY acting when your dog gets it right? Use a bit of showmanship and overacting when your puppy does well. Make it feel good for the puppy to get it right, and he'll be happier about learning.
Use your voice! Have a happy, you got it right voice, and a lower, calmer lets get back to work voice. Watch your pup as you modulate your tones from excited happy-you-got-it-right voice to more stern, back to business, listen-to-trainer-voice. If he's totally distracted, observe slyly as you ignore your silly, wiggly pup on his leash, and see how he processes from wild hyena back into a domestic dog, and finally, grudgingly looking up at you for some sort of direction. Knowing when to stand silent and when to act are critical, like I always say, timing is important! Learn your dog, learn to read your dog, learn to use that "feels-good" concept in your rewards bag, and meybe you'll find the elusive clue to training that you're seeking.
Remember, having fun with your pup while you're training is a lot more fun than the alternative for both of you, so lighten up, be patient, and take some time to be goofy when he earns it! You catch more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar and nothing could be truer than when working with puppies!