Anticipation… Making It Work for You and Your Dog

Dogs, while unlikely to engage in long-term planning, are no strangers to anticipation. photo: AdobeStock

Have you ever noticed how much fun it is to anticipate something good? Let’s say you’re thinking about buying a new computer. You spend time researching, exploring all the new features, and begin looking forward to getting it home and hooking it up. But once you’ve bought it, you’ll probably shift your focus to the next exciting new thing. That’s because anticipation can often be as rewarding as the item itself. The pleasure is in the build up.

Dogs, while unlikely to engage in long-term planning, are no strangers to anticipation. In fact, they experience it intensely. Whether it’s dinnertime, a walk, or following a scent, dogs often express sheer joy in the moments before the reward arrives.

One of my dogs, for example, starts tossing around her toy when she senses it’s almost mealtime, while another barks joyfully (okay, somewhat maddeningly) in excitement. Many dogs react the same way to walks—jumping, barking, grabbing leashes. But this escalating behavior, while based in understandable excitement, can sometimes make simple routines chaotic and frustrating for you, the human. Here’s how to put that anticipation to work for both of you.

Anticipation in Training

When dogs are learning basic behaviors like "sit" or "down," reinforcement should be quick and clear. If your dog sits, but then lies down before you offer a treat, you may unintentionally reward the down instead of the sit. If your dog barks on the way to you when called and you reinforce the recall, you're also reinforcing the barking. That’s why timing is critical—and why many trainers use clickers or marker words like “yes” to capture the exact moment the correct behavior occurs. Once marked, the reinforcement, whether it’s a treat or praise, can follow a beat later without confusing the dog.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Once your dog reliably understands a cue, you don’t always have to deliver a reward instantly. This opens the door to using anticipation as part of the reward process itself.

Let’s say you’re teaching your dog to walk politely by your side, a notoriously tricky behavior for many dogs. You might think you need to dispense a treat every few steps to keep her engaged. But instead, you can build suspense.

Offer a teaser treat, show that there’s another waiting, and start walking. At some point—ideally while she’s still interested—you deliver the treat, either by stopping for a sit or surprising her mid-stride. Then do it again. Now your dog isn’t just walking. She’s watching you closely, intrigued about what might happen next. You’ve become unpredictable and fascinating. She’s no longer walking because you’re bribing her but because she’s caught in the enjoyable tension of “What will happen next?” Over time, you can reduce the number of treats while keeping her focus sharp.

Anticipation in Dog Sports

Anticipation is the secret ingredient in many dog sports, especially for Nosework in which dogs hunt for specific scents and signal when they find them. Watch any Nosework dog in action and you’ll see wagging tails, laser-sharp focus, and clear joy—not because of the treat at the end, but because the hunt itself is thrilling. Whether it’s sniffing out a hidden toy, a scent tin, or even just a treat tucked into a box, the anticipation and pursuit are incredibly rewarding.

This concept can be particularly powerful for fearful or anxious dogs. A dog who’s worried about the world is still capable of enjoying a hunt. Redirecting their energy into an activity filled with curiosity and positive anticipation can dramatically shift their emotional state. It’s hard to be fearful when you’re hunting for a treat in a box or a ball in a bush.

The Downside of Anticipation

Of course, anticipation isn’t always a good thing. Years ago, one of our Rottweilers would get so excited before a walk that he’d leap around the kitchen, making the whole house shake. Worse, this burst of energy made the beginning of every walk a stressful tug-of-war.

To change that, I taught him that jumping delayed the walk. Leash clipped on, he'd explode with excitement— and I’d calmly sit down and “read” a book. After a few minutes, he’d pause, confused. I’d stand up. He’d leap again. I’d sit back down. After several repetitions, the lightbulb went on: jumping = delay.

It took about 15 minutes that first day, but he finally walked with me calmly to the door. Over time, his control improved dramatically, even as his body quivered with eagerness. The anticipation was still there, but now it was paired with self-control.

Leash-reactive dogs, often frustrated greeters, are another group where anticipation can cause issues. These dogs see another dog and can barely contain themselves, often erupting in barking and lunging. In those moments, redirecting their energy by tossing a treat for them to chase can shift their focus from what they can’t do to what they can.

And of course, anxious dogs often anticipate the worst: that you’ll never come home, that the food bowl will stay empty forever, or that the sky might fall. For these dogs, our job is to help them reshape their view of the future. By building routines filled with positive anticipation—fun games, rewarding interactions, reliable comings and goings—we can help shift their mindset from dread to delight.

Anticipation is a powerful emotional force for both humans and dogs. When used thoughtfully, it can enhance learning, build stronger bonds, and even help anxious dogs find joy. Whether it’s a walk, a scent game, or a training session, the magic often lies not just in the reward, but in the thrill of what’s to come.