SMART x 50 is a powerful tool for improving your dog’s behaviour and strengthening your bond with them.

SMART x 50 stands for See, Mark, And Reward Training, with the “x 50” indicating that you’ll give your dog around 50 rewards per day. 

STEP 1 – GET TREATS READY

To start, you will need 50 treats or pieces of your dog’s kibble. It is crucial that these treats are low-calorie and high-value to ensure your dog is motivated. Place these treats in a central, easily accessible location, I recommned wearing your treat pouch all day. For smaller dogs or to avoid obesity, consider using small, nutritious treats and adjusting their meal portions accordingly.

STEP 2 – SEE POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS

The core of SMART x 50 is observing and capturing your dog’s naturally occurring positive behaviours without prompting them. Examples of such behaviours include:

• Laying down next to you while you watch TV
• Not barking when someone passes the window
• Sitting down instead of jumping
• Going to their crate or bed on their own

Anything polite, independent, and/or calm. The key is to recognize and appreciate the good things your dog does. 

STEP 3 – MARK AND REWARD

When you see your dog exhibiting a desired behaviour, mark it immediately with a clicker or a verbal marker like “yes” or “good.” Follow this marker with a treat. This consistent marking and rewarding system helps your dog associate the behaviour with the positive outcome. Give the treat calmly though. You don’t want to reward for being calm and then get them all excited.

STEP 4 – REPEAT 50x EACH DAY

Repeat the process of seeing, marking, and rewarding 50 times each day. This repetition is essential for reinforcing the desired behaviours and helping your dog understand what actions are valued.

Why You’ll Love SMART x 50

SMART x 50 shifts the focus from correcting “bad behaviours” to rewarding positive ones. This approach ensures that what gets rewarded gets repeated, leading to a more positive and harmonious relationship with your dog.

Unlike traditional training methods where humans prompt and command, SMART x 50 gives your dog agency and control. Your dog initiates the training by doing something awesome, and you reward these actions. This method encourages dogs to make good decisions without constant prompting.

SMART x 50 is particularly beneficial for:

• Dogs with short attention spans or those who get easily frustrated in training.
• Busy owners who don’t have time for extensive training sessions.
• Dogs that don’t know many cues yet.
• Dogs with lots of challenging behaviours, as it helps to see the good in them.

Incorporating Real-Life Rewards

As you become more skilled with SMART x 50, you can transition from food rewards to real-life rewards that your dog finds valuable. For example, if your dog is politely playing with a toy, you can reward them with a game of fetch or some petting and affection. This approach keeps the training engaging and relevant to your dog’s daily life.

SMART x 50 is a kinder, easier, and more sustainable way to teach your dog manners compared to other methods. By focusing on seeing, marking, and rewarding positive behaviours, you create a proactive and positive training environment. This method not only improves your dog’s behaviour but also strengthens your bond and empowers your dog to make good choices. 

Give SMART x 50 a try, and you’ll soon see the transformative power of positive reinforcement in action!

The SMART x 50 program was developed by Kathy Sdao, an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist. For more information check out her book Plenty in Life is Free – Reflections on Dogs, Training, & Finding Grace