Change Your Perspective, Change Your Dog’s Behavior

The first step to improving your dog’s behavior is shifting how you think about it. If you don’t understand how behavior works, trying to change it can feel frustrating and overwhelming. But once you see the “why” behind your dog’s choices, training becomes a lot simpler.

Your dog’s behavior is shaped by two things: their environment and the consequences of their actions. If a behavior gets your dog something they want—whether it’s food, attention, or relief from boredom—they’ll do it again. That’s true for the polite behaviors you love and the frustrating ones you don’t.

Here’s the good news: you can use this to your advantage. By rewarding the behaviors you want, you’ll naturally see less of the ones you don’t.

Notice the Good

Most of us are wired to notice when our dogs are “misbehaving”—jumping, barking, stealing food. But your dog is also making dozens of good choices every single day. The secret to behavior change is to catch and reward those positive moments, no matter how small.

This is the power of positive reinforcement—making the behaviors you want more valuable to your dog so they’ll choose them more often.

The SMARTx50 Method

Trainer Kathy Sdao created a simple protocol called SMARTx50, which stands for:

See • Mark • And • Reward • Training x 50

Here’s how it works:

1. Count out 50 small treats (or pieces of kibble).

2. Throughout the day, notice any desirable behavior—big or small.

3. Reward it. Keep going until you’ve used all 50.

The goal is to end the day with an empty treat pouch, proof that you’ve caught your dog doing things right.

This doesn’t replace training sessions—it supercharges them. SMARTx50 weaves learning into everyday life, giving your dog clear feedback about what you want while reducing unwanted behavior.

“But My Dog Never Does Anything Good…”

Think again. Desirable behavior isn’t just “sit” or “down”—it’s all the little moments your dog makes a good choice. Here are just a few examples to get you started:

• Lying down calmly

• Being quiet during your work call

• Waiting patiently while you clip on the leash

• Ignoring noises outside

• Walking with a loose leash

• Relaxing on their bed

• Coming when called

• Keeping four paws on the floor instead of jumping

• Staying calm when a package is delivered

The list is endless—if you’re looking for it, you’ll find it.

A New Way to Live With Your Dog

When you shift your focus from what’s “wrong” to what’s “right,” something incredible happens. Training becomes easier, your dog becomes more eager to listen, and your daily frustrations start to fade.

Instead of saying “no” all day long, you’ll be saying “yes” to dozens of great choices your dog is making. This builds better habits, strengthens your bond, and makes life together more fun.

Because at the end of the day, your dog isn’t trying to give you a hard time—they’re trying their best. And now, you’ll have the tools to notice it.