Do you have a special praise for different situations?
-If I want him to stay calm, my praise is very calm, soothing, and quiet. Think massage vs high fives and flying hugs.
Do you hug your dog, kiss him, stroke his head, jump excitedly around her, just simply say 'good boy'?
-Renji is spotty with liking petting. I usually use verbal markers and use treats/toys. Sometimes I pet him.
How do you praise a puppy vs young dog vs adult?
-I haven't raised a puppy but with the pups I've worked with at training I use VERY calm praise if I don't want to excite the pup, and if I do want to excite the pup, then praise like a bloomin' crazypants.
I think it's great to have little praise parties when the time is appropriate and yes, I'll do this with my dog. Sometimes you just have to let loose.
Do you praise your dog often or sparingly?
-Often! Maybe too much!
Do you talk to your dog a lot in general?
-Sometimes I feel yes, but then I look at people who talk to their dogs like they're little kids and then I'm reminded that I talk to him a moderate amount. I do feel that less is more and I am trying to use more body language than verbal language. I think I use a good amount of body language but I should be "talking" to Renji a lot more in that way.
What Chris was talking about regarding the reduction of communication is a big thing I am working on. Renji needs to learn to deal without a running commentary from the sportscaster and I need to learn to shut up and pick my moments to praise once he's learned a command/routine.