During body blocking, what should you do when the dog allows you to pass?

During body blocking, what should you do when the dog allows you to pass?

• A. Scold them.
• B. Praise them.
• C. Ignore them.
• D. Punish them.

Answer: (B)

When you're using body blocking, the goal is to guide the dog with your body and then reinforce the calm, cooperative behavior. If the dog allows you to pass, immediately praise them and, if appropriate, give a light reward. Positive reinforcement helps the dog associate passing calmly with something good, increasing the likelihood they'll do it again. Scolding, ignoring, or punishing creates fear or confusion and undermines trust and cooperation, so they’re not helpful responses to this moment. The key is to acknowledge and reward the correct behavior right when it happens.

When you're using body blocking, the goal is to guide the dog with your body and then reinforce the calm, cooperative behavior. If the dog allows you to pass, immediately praise them and, if appropriate, give a light reward. Positive reinforcement helps the dog associate passing calmly with something good, increasing the likelihood they'll do it again.

Scolding, ignoring, or punishing creates fear or confusion and undermines trust and cooperation, so they’re not helpful responses to this moment. The key is to acknowledge and reward the correct behavior right when it happens.