Managing Arousal, Frustration, Rewards, and Mistakes in Canine Training
- k9performanceunlea
- Apr 22, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Success in canine training and athletic performance depends on maintaining the right balance of arousal, motivation, emotional control, and managing mistakes along the way. Arousal influences a dog’s ability to focus, execute movements correctly, and remain engaged. The right rewards can help adjust arousal and motivation, while frustration management ensures training remains a positive and productive experience. Mistakes are inevitable, but how they are handled is crucial for progress; they offer opportunities to refine techniques and strengthen the bond between handler and dog.
Striking the right balance is essential—too much arousal can lead to impulsivity and loss of focus, while too little can result in disengagement and unwillingness to participate. If frustration builds, it can lead to stress, avoidance behaviors, or even shutting down. By embracing mistakes, observing your dog’s responses, and fine-tuning these elements, you can create a training experience that keeps your dog engaged, confident, and eager to work.
UNDERSTANDING AROUSAL AND ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE
Arousal levels can make or break training and performance in canine athletes. While a certain level of excitement is necessary for motivation and engagement, excessive arousal can mean loss of focus, poor impulse control, and increased risk of injury. In canine strength and conditioning, we are often looking for precise and controlled movements, which require a dog to be engaged but not overly stimulated. If a dog is too aroused, they may struggle with coordination, rush through exercises, or compensate with incorrect muscle groups, leading to inefficient movement patterns and increased injury risk. On the other hand, if a dog is under-aroused, they may appear disinterested or unwilling to participate. The ideal state for training and performance is alert, engaged, and responsive—not overly stimulated or shut down. Finding the right balance ensures training is both productive and enjoyable for the dog and handler alike.
Signs of Low Arousal
Lack of enthusiasm or slow responses
Easily distracted or indifferent
Hesitant or sluggish movement
Laying down or avoiding engagement
Signs of High Arousal
Excessive barking, whining, or jumping
Difficulty holding positions or responding to cues
Rushing through exercises or compensating with incorrect movements
Hyper-focused on the environment rather than the handler
Managing arousal effectively allows for better muscle recruitment, coordination, and overall performance while minimizing the risk of compensation patterns or injury risk from sloppy execution.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT REWARD TO BALANCE AROUSAL
When choosing a reward for an activity, there are a few factors to consider. This short guide will discuss different types of rewards and how to choose the one that is best for you and your dog for canine fitness activities.
Step 1: Determine Reward Hierarchy
Evaluating what motivates your dog is the most important step in choosing what kind of reward to use. If your dog doesn’t find tennis balls interesting, why would they want to work for it? Some dogs will happily take their food as a treat while others might need some extra encouragement with squishy smelly treats like cheese or boiled chicken.
Typically each dog has a hierarchy of rewards, it’s critical to know your dog’s hierarchy to be able to implement these rewards effectively.
Below you will find an example reward hierarchy:
FOXY’S REWARD HIERARCHY | ||
Highest | Ball | When the ball is out, nothing else matters- not even treats. Foot placement is not as careful and she tends to throw her body around with her brain focused on the ball. |
Mid to High | Tug toy Chicken Peanut butter Cheese Other soft smelly treats | These elicit high arousal and desire to be rewarded. She would choose these over her dog food but would not care about these if her ball was out. While this elicits high arousal, she can focus more on her task with cleaner movements. |
Low to Mid | Dog food | She will happily take these as treats although she does prefer other treats. She will work with minimal arousal, making precise foot movements and is able to think clearly to problem solve. |
Low | Praise | While this may work for some dogs, Fox would much rather have a treat or toy. She may do one round of an exercise, but is unmotivated to continue with this as her sole reward. |
Generally, for fitness, we use mid-level rewards. A reward that is too low may not motivate the dog to fully participate in the exercise, overcome hesitation, or engage in problem-solving. On the other hand, a reward that is too high can cause the dog to become over-aroused and frustrated, especially if they are not yet proficient in the movement. This high level of arousal can make it difficult for them to problem-solve or perform the precise movements we are aiming for.
However, for more complex or challenging movements, a slightly higher reward may be necessary to encourage the dog to engage, push through difficulties, and problem-solve. This can help them stay motivated and focused on refining the movement, while still ensuring the overall experience remains positive and productive.
Step 2: Understand Reward Timing
The individual exercise you are trying to complete can also dictate the type of reward that is most effective. For shorter-duration exercises with a high number of repetitions, an intermittent reward may be ideal, as it allows you to reward the dog only when the desired movement is completed. This encourages the dog to focus on performing the movement correctly. On the other hand, for exercises where the dog is expected to hold a position for an extended period, a continuous reward may be more appropriate to help maintain motivation and reinforce the behavior.
For harder or more complex exercises, a higher rate of intermittent reward might be necessary to encourage problem-solving and keep the dog engaged. This can help maintain their focus, while still allowing for the gradual refinement of their movements as they work through the challenge.
Examples of intermittent rewards: Pieces of kibble, individual treats, or a toss of the ball. The anticipation of the reward is generally what drives the dog to work to complete the desired movement.
Examples of continuous rewards: peanut butter on a spatula, wet dog food in a kong, or plain low-fat yogurt on a lick-mat. These types of rewards are generally useful in exercises such as an extended plank or holding a posture down/sit- where we want the dog to be relatively still for a period of time.
Something you can also consider to keep motivation high, is to use mid level rewards throughout an exercise or circuit, and then reward with something high value at the end of that circuit.
Step 3: Constantly re-evaluate, and don’t forget to make it fun!
It’s important to remember that each dog is different and that fitness should not only be about improving your dog’s performance, but also creating a bond and a way to have fun with your dog.
It often takes time and trial and error to find what works best for your dog, and sometimes even after you figure it out you may have to re-evaluate and pivot for certain exercises, or days. Each dog will struggle with different equipment and movements, and when this happens it may be helpful to use a slightly higher value reward or try a different method of teaching it. Remember, do not force your dog into any positions or onto any equipment, but rather work to build their confidence in completing that activity.
MANAGING FRUSTRATION FOR A POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Frustration occurs when a dog struggles to understand a task, experiences a lack of reinforcement, or has unmet expectations. While a small amount of frustration can encourage problem-solving, excessive frustration can cause stress and disengagement.
Signs of Frustration
Repetitive failed attempts at a task
Barking, whining, or pawing at the handler
Avoiding the exercise or walking away
Stiff posture, lip licking, or stress signals
How to Prevent & Manage Frustration
Break Tasks Into Smaller Steps – If your dog is struggling, simplify the exercise and reward smaller successes.
Use a Clear Marker System – Communicate clearly when they’ve done the right thing. A precise marker (e.g., "yes" or a clicker) can reduce uncertainty.
Adjust Reward Timing – If your dog gets frustrated, try delivering rewards sooner or with more consistency.
Recognize When to Pause – If frustration builds, take a short break or switch to an easier task before trying again.
Keeping training positive and engaging helps your dog stay confident and eager to learn while preventing unnecessary stress.
MANAGING MISTAKES: HELPING YOUR DOG SUCCEED
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, but how you respond to them can make a big difference in your dog’s confidence and success. If your dog is struggling to understand what you’re asking, it’s important to assess why rather than simply repeating the cue or increasing frustration.
1. Adjust Your Communication Style
Dogs learn best when communication is clear and consistent. If your dog is repeatedly getting something wrong, consider:
Cue Delivery: Are you using the same verbal and physical cues every time? Inconsistent signals can be confusing.
Equipment & Handling: Some dogs respond better to different equipment setups, body positioning, or tactile feedback.
Reinforcement Timing: Marking and rewarding at the right moment helps clarify what behavior is being reinforced.
2. Modify Your Training Approach
Not all dogs learn the same way, so adjusting your method can improve understanding.
Luring: If your dog is struggling to grasp a movement, using a food lure can provide clearer guidance.
Shaping: Some dogs do better when allowed to experiment and problem-solve rather than being led into position. On the other hand, this can be frustrating for other dogs.
Capturing: If your dog naturally offers the correct behavior at any point, marking and reinforcing it can speed up learning.
3. Break It Down
If your dog isn’t succeeding, the task may be too difficult. Instead of asking for the full behavior, break it into smaller, achievable steps. Rewarding progress, even if it’s not perfect, keeps your dog engaged and prevents frustration.
4. Maintain a Positive Experience
Dogs thrive in a learning environment that feels safe and rewarding. If frustration starts creeping in—for you or your dog—take a step back. A short break, a fun reset game, or revisiting an easier skill can help rebuild confidence. Keeping training positive ensures long-term progress and a motivated canine athlete.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: THE PATH TO SUCCESS
Balancing arousal, choosing the right rewards, and managing frustration are all essential for optimizing engagement in training. Every dog has individual needs—some require more excitement, while others need help staying calm. It’s important to acknowledge that mistakes will happen, and how we handle them can greatly impact the training experience. By observing your dog’s responses, being patient with their mistakes, and making small adjustments, you can fine-tune their arousal and motivation for a more productive and enjoyable journey.
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and can be used as opportunities for growth. Instead of focusing on perfection, embrace the learning moments and remain consistent in your approach. With thoughtful training strategies, your canine athlete will stay focused, confident, and perform at their best, all while enjoying the process along the way.
Note: Fitness exercises aren’t about mastering tricks. The primary goal does not have to be for your dog to perform the exercise without any reward or luring, but rather to ensure their body is benefiting from the movement. Whether you prefer your dog to do exercises on command or hold them without constant reinforcement is a personal choice and on the other hand if you have to lure them and use a continuous reward, that’s fine too! What's important is that you're prioritizing their physical well-being and progression, regardless of how they get there.
