Unravelling the Joy of Leaf Chasing. The Role of Intrinsic Reinforcers in Our Dogs.

In the world of dogs, some behaviours grab their attention more than others. The dogs dedicate themselves to these behaviours with a magical allure. We don’t always get the appeal – but they do. Among these, leaf chasing stands out. Especially for my Springador Twyla. It is a fascinating display of my dog’s joy and love of life. But why do they do it? To where they can get obsessed with the behaviour?

The concept of intrinsic reinforcers sheds some light on our pets’ activities.

What Is Intrinsic Reinforcement?

Intrinsic reinforcement happens when the activity itself is rewarding. It does not need treats or praises. This reinforcement is powerful. It meets a built-in need or desire in the dog. In humans, an example is pleasure derived from painting a beautiful landscape. The satisfaction of finishing a puzzle. Dogs find joy and stimulation in activities like chasing leaves. Digging, licking, chewing, scratching are more examples of things our dogs find intrinsically rewarding. The reinforcement is in the FEELING the behaviour gives our dogs as they do it. It feels good, so they do it some more. The more they do it, the more they want to do it. Like a gambler’s occasional win, the reinforcing dopamine hit keeps them coming back.

Why Leaf Chasing in particular?

Leaf chasing creates a whirlwind of sensory and physical delights, that tap directly into a dog’s natural instincts. Here’s why this activity is so rewarding for our floofers:

• Prey Drive Stimulation: Many dogs have a natural prey drive that harks back to their ancestors’ need to hunt for survival. The fluttery movement of leaves imitates prey, awakening their primal instincts. The chase itself is thrilling and fulfilling, ending with the satisfaction of catching the leaf. It feeds into the dog’s natural desire to pursue prey. Many dogs need to be kept away from small furries for this very reason.
• Sensory Stimulation: Leaves in motion engage a dog’s senses – sight, sound, and touch. Tracking, rustling sounds, smelling, chasing and biting leaves provide a satisfying multi-sensory experience.
• Physical Exercise: Leaf chasing involves darting and dashing about. It offers vigorous activity, which many dogs find satisfying. This exercise increases endorphins, amplifying the enjoyment of the activity. Much like chasing and catching a ball, the reward is the experience.
• Mental Stimulation: The unpredictable nature of leaf movement challenges a dog’s cognitive skills, keeping their mind engaged, guessing where the leaf will go next. This mental stimulation is a vital ingredient for intrinsic reinforcement. It satisfies the dog’s natural curiosity, teases them with possibility of a fun game, and encourages their problem-solving instincts to take over.
• Comfort: A dog who is worried, bored or anxious might start chewing furniture, licking themselves sore, digging big holes in the back garden, as a way to help themselves feel better. Seeking out comfort from natural behaviours is something we all do. Much like humans bite their nails or develop ocd behaviours, we do them because they feel good to us.

Embracing Intrinsic Rewards in Training

Understanding and leveraging intrinsic reinforcers can really impact training and behaviour modification. By seeking activities with built-in rewards, we can make a more fulfilling and motivating learning environment for our dogs. For instance, including games that simulate hunting is helpful, as they find the game reinforcing in itself. You can use things like searching for toys or scentwork as a reward for doing other things. If a dog is inherently reinforced by sniffing at a grass verge, you can use that sniff as their reward for walking to that spot without pulling. Careful use of intrinsic reinforcement satisfies their natural instincts in a good way.

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Also, valuing intrinsic rewards encourages us to see behaviours like leaf chasing not as distractions, or things our dogs do to annoy us. They are natural expressions of our dogs’ needs and joys. They tell us what our dog enjoys as well as when our dogs might need a little help with a struggle, have a need not being met or require some entertainment. This perspective helps us include activities in our dogs’ lives that make them happy and fulfilled.

Final Thoughts

Leaf chasing reminds us of the simple joys of our dogs play. By recognising and valuing intrinsic reinforcers, we deepen our bond with our dogs. We celebrate the wonder of their nature. Even when they try to drag us into the middle of the busy road to get to a sodding green flappy thing. So next time you see your dog joyously bounding after a drifting leaf, remember that it’s not just a leaf. It’s a leafy key to understanding their inner world.