Walkin’ & Talkin’: A Walk Full of Check-Ins
Some walks are full of movement and distractions — and some are full of information. On this one, Ella is checking in more than usual, and there’s a reason for it. She’s hungry, the reinforcement value is higher, and the rhythm of the walk keeps shifting. Hazel knows when we’re stopping so Ella can go look for frogs, which means Ella starts drifting back to me for food and connection.
You’ll see how small things — hunger, routines, patterns, and environmental flow — all shape engagement in real time. You’ll also catch a perfect example of why I don’t repeat cues: I call Ella once, she doesn’t look, and instead of trying again, I wait. And a moment later, she checks in on her own.
This one is all about watching behaviour unfold and letting engagement grow naturally.
What You’ll See on This Walk
Ella checks in more than usual — and we get to see why
Value shifts (like hunger) change how reinforcing you are
Hazel’s predictable frog routine influences how Ella orients
I reinforce offered behaviours → not cued ones
A single recall cue (with no repetition) leads to a natural re-engagement
Check-ins appearing in the flow of the walk without prompting
A Few Things Worth Noticing
Value matters. Hunger changes the reinforcement landscape and makes check-ins more frequent and intentional.
Dogs read routines. Hazel knows the “frog spots,” which shapes Ella’s approach and timing.
You don’t need to cue everything. Offered behaviour often teaches you more than cued behaviour.
No cue repetition. Calling once and pausing gives the dog time to respond — and avoids diluting your recall cue.
Engagement fluctuates naturally. It’s not linear, and you get to support it without forcing it.
Why These Walks Matter
Check-ins are one of the most useful real-life skills a dog can offer — especially for recall foundations. But they don’t just happen “because the dog is good.” They happen because of reinforcement history, emotional state, environmental flow, and your handling choices.
Moments like these show how engagement grows out of everyday, unscripted walks. When you pay attention to why your dog is checking in, you understand how to support it, reinforce it, and let it become part of how they move through the world with you.
📍 Location: Our Road + frog hangouts
🌱 Environment: Quiet with routine stopping points
🐶 Theme: Engagement, Check-Ins, Real-Life Reinforcement
