OVERLOAD Impulse Control!
EMOTIONS! Like a roller coaster sometimes, right? Tricks training helps to regulate your dog’s highs and lows and can bring on the laughs in the process!
DATA LIMIT REACHED - SYSTEM OVERLOAD
My dog has emotions?
YES!
Arty's tendency to "just go for it" shows a joyful heart ready to learn. Even if that energy gets a little wiggly, it’s the perfect foundation for a new trick. After all, you can always redirect a burst of energy, but you can't teach enthusiasm.
Arty learns a trick in a predictable flow. First there is the "Try" where his energy is high, fueled by raw excitement but messy with a whirlwind of guessing.
This flows naturally into "Frustration and Learning", a phase where he almost gets it, bridges his guesses with what he knows well (like Sit and Look Cute).
Ultimately, after many repetitions, this tension snaps into clarity —"Got It!" Asking him to perform the trick doesn't show a hint of frustration. He’s living up to his “Mr. Smarty Arty” moniker and soaking up every second of it.
Happy, sad, fearful, excited. Emotions. We feel these daily! While this is a canine perspective, dogs share more with their human friends than you might think. Dogs experience emotions like Love, Fear, Anxiety, Anger & Frustration.
Just like us, they navigate their daily lives through two main internal systems: the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, and the amygdala, the emotional control center. When emotions run high (SQUIRREL!) the amygdala takes over and the "thinking" brain goes offline.
This is where Arty’s training come in. When Arty learns a trick, he is training his brain to pause between an instictive response and an action. This successful "thinking" triggers a hit of serotonin and oxytocin—the ultimate feel-good combo. By strengthening that mental pause, he gains the confidence to handle life’s ups and downs without letting his inner amygdala take over.
SQUIRREL!
Impulse control takes practice . . .
Now there’s a thought ~
It turns out dogs aren’t the only ones who need impulse control. Handling emotions is just like teaching Arty a trick—it takes a lot of repetition, a few "accidents" along the way, and a whole lot of positive reinforcement. Let’s take a look at a few tricks. . . .
"Leave It" (Distraction Management) To ignore something valuable because the reward is greater. Choosing Your Battles. Avoiding the bait. Letting go of negativity.
For Arty: He sees a piece of dropped bacon on the floor. His instinct says LUNGE. You say, "Leave it," and he learns to look at you instead. He’s choosing a long-term reward (your praise/treat) over a short-term impulse.
For Humans: You get an annoying email. Your instinct says REPLY WITH SNARK. Emotional regulation is your internal "Leave it." You pause, take a breath, and choose a response that doesn't get you sent to HR.
"Wait" (The Reset Button) To pause or slow down in response.
For Arty: When he sees that squirrel and is told to “wait”, it causes him to stop, look to me, and reset. I can then redirect his energy into a safe and acceptable response. This develops the prefrontal cortex to handle impulse control in your pup.
For Humans: Instead of responding immediately, wait 10 seconds before hitting “send” on a heated email. Wait for someone to actually finish their sentence before you start formulating your rebuttal. Pausing is powerful.
“Door Etiquette” (Respecting Boundaries) Foundation for safety and trust.
For Arty: The open door is a boundary, not a green light. No rushing out an open door. Check-in for permission to cross the threshold. Respect for the one holding the leash, trusting me to protect him from danger.
For Humans: Whether walking into a room or into a conversation, being mindful of others, reading the room and waiting to be invited in. The difference between barging in and being invited creates space for trust and emotional connection.
Arty gets high-value treats for performing his tricks, but what about you? What is your “high-value” reward? After all, you paused to make good choices today, and that deserves to be celebrated! Take a moment to bask in that "feel-good" brain boost of serotonin and oxytocin. Need a great place to cash in on that reward? Look no further than North Idaho’s own Panaeh’s Bistro and Bodega.
Between the marvelous coffee choices, huckleberry cinnamon rolls and the fresh breakfast & lunch options, Panaeh’s is the perfect spot to recharge. The vibe is incredible, and you’ll be welcomed with a level of genuine friendliness that turns a simple coffee break into the highlight of your day. Places like this can provide the much-needed little luxuries in life that allow you to reset.
Tell them Arty sent you! 🐾
OH THE CHOICES
