Automatic Check In

(this article has been modified from its original version which can be found on the Banbury-Bedrock website)

By Mary Remer, CPDT and Liz Maslow, CPDT

Mutual awareness, a coordination of communication and recognition of authority are components of a relationship that you want to develop with your dog. One of the tools to accomplish this goal is the automatic check-in. A dog who, without prompting, offers the behavior of eye contact with its figure of authority is giving an automatic check-in (auto check-in).

An auto check-in is a naturally occurring behavior for puppies. Puppies begin displaying auto check-ins with their mother as soon as they can see, around 14 days. While they are with their mother they are continuously giving eye contact and she continuously rewards the puppies to reinforce these auto check-ins. For example, mom has a toy and puppy comes forward with eye contact that says “Please may I have that toy?.” It is likely that mom will either avert her eyes, turn her head or get up and leave the toy for the puppy, thereby saying “sure you can”. On the other hand, as teacher and leader, with just a look mom can send the message “No, you cannot have that toy now.” It is the auto check-in and her responses to this behavior that allow her to teach her puppies about safety, appropriate behavior and boundaries.

As the puppies age they begin to become aware of their environment and littermates. It is within the social context of their littermates that they expand their opportunities to practice auto check-ins. Eye contact with a littermate may be communicating the desire, “Gee, I really would love to play with you and that toy that you are playing with”. In response, the littermate’s eye contact may be all that is needed to let the puppy know “sure you can join and play with me and the toy” or “don’t even think about it”. This is a skill that is learned and then practiced amongst dogs throughout their lifetime. Under-socialized dogs can become poor readers and communicators, leading to a host of potential problems.

When your puppy comes home between 7 and 10 weeks, he is frequently under foot offering auto check-ins, looking for approval and guidance. He will take his cues from other dogs in the house, cats and of course humans. What tends to happen is that we do not reinforce the auto check-in frequently enough. If auto check-ins are not captured and rewarded, the behavior with you, the leader, will extinguish as your puppy matures and becomes more independent.

What are the benefits of the Auto Check In?

- Relationship Information – The auto check-in acknowledges you as the parental figure and decision maker in the relationship. Parents pay attention and they make appropriate decisions for the safety and well being of their family. Spot’s auto check-in may indicate he is looking to you as the decision maker when he is wanting to do something, i.e., go outside, come inside, get a toy, play fetch, play with another dog, go for a swim. Your response provides sought after information for Spot, be it allowing or denying the request.

- Situational Information- A dog who offers auto check-ins may be letting his handler know that he is feeling uncomfortable about something in the environment, i.e., an approaching dog, a child on a bicycle, new surroundings, construction work, loud traffic. The handler is able to acknowledge the information and make situational adjustments, such as providing a wider birth when passing the construction site. This, in turn, will have a positive effect on Spot, letting him know you will Pilot him to a more comfortable zone.

- Relationship Strengthening- When Spot offers an auto check-in and you respond you are strengthening the communication bond between the two of you. The fact that Spot is able to look to you for guidance tells you that he trusts your decisions.

- Freedom-As Spot offers you auto check-ins, you are able to give him more freedom, knowing that he will check-in and not make his own decisions. A dog that does not offer auto check-ins will often be more drawn by his environment and consequently will make decisions without your input, decisions that can get him into trouble.

- Owner Awareness-Auto check-in encourages you, the owner, to pay attention to your dog and the environment. If you are otherwise engaged, as in chatting on your cell phone or listening to your I-Pod, the auto check-ins will be missed and the behavior will extinguish itself as Spot will redirect his focus from you to the environment.

This is a two party game; both human and canine must participate for auto check in to be successful.

Capture and Reward Auto Check-Ins

The best part about an auto check-in is that it is never too late to have this spontaneous, natural eye contact become a meaningful communication tool in your relationship. The more auto check-ins that can be captured and rewarded, the more auto check-ins Spot will offer.

Start with you and Spot in a quiet room. Sit in a chair for a short time while ignoring Spot. Then, get up from the chair. If Spot offers an auto check-in, as if to say “where are you going?” give him lots of praise and a high value food reward. Do this several times a day, adding a couple of different rooms each day. Every once in a while give him a JACKPOT REWARD (5-10 high value tiny treats given in rapid fire succession). Try walking with Spot from one room to another. Stop walking and wait for an auto check-in. If Spot gives you an auto check-in, lavish him with praise (15 to 30 seconds worth) and reward with high value treats. After a few days of this you should start to notice that Spot offers auto check-ins more frequently. Every auto check-in that you capture earns a reward.

Now it is time to move to a slightly more distracting situation. Snap on Spots leash and walk him toward the door like he is going for a walk. Before you get to the door, stop and wait for Spot to offer an auto check-in. After 10 seconds of waiting, if Spot has not offered the behavior, make a noise or tap him lightly on his side or back between his hip bones to interrupt his outward focus. As soon as Spot offers the auto check-in, praise him and give him a JACKPOT reward. Soon, this will be the perfect opportunity to use a “Life Reward” (anything your dog wants is a life reward). When Spot offers auto check-ins as a “May I?” at the door, reward by opening the door so he can go out and play. Sometimes you will not be able to grant Spot’s request. In these situations, still honor the auto check-in with lots of praise and a substitute reward.

What is Reinforcement?

Reinforcement is anything that increases the frequency of a behavior. Food (treats) is a great high quality reward that will reinforce a behavior for many dogs. It can be a great tool to cement a behavior. That said there are many other rewards that can be used to reinforce behaviors. Anything that your dog likes can be used as a reward and thus a reinforcement of behavior. Different breeds of dogs as well as individuals within that breed find different things rewarding. For example, retrievers like to swim; therefore they will offer behaviors to earn a swim. A swim is not a reward for most Pekinese, but a cuddle on a lap would be.

Spend some time thinking about what YOUR dog finds to be a reinforcing reward in any particular environment. Maybe Spot offers auto check-ins in the house and is happy to work for low-level rewards such as praise or his own dog food. On the street where there is a higher level of distraction, in order to get auto check-ins you may need a higher value reward, like baked chicken, roast beef or hotdogs.

Remember to reward the behavior with the appropriate level of reinforcement, so the behavior repeats itself. For example, on a walk through town (a very distracting environment) if Spot offers a desirable behavior, such as an auto check-in, and a low level reward (praise) is the paycheck Spot will stop offering the behavior. Focusing on his environment is more reinforcing. However, if a high level reward is given (chicken or cheese), it is more likely that Spot will offer more auto check-ins.