Have you ever heard the words ‘good job’ after you’ve done something particularly well? Two one-syllable words—not hard to pronounce nor to understand their meaning, yet they pack a powerful punch. Good job. That simple phrase is capable of inciting esteem, good will and motivation. The canine version, of course, is ‘good dog’ and those two words are just as impactful for your pup.

When your dog follows a command and you say, ‘good dog’ and love her up, she is motivated to repeat the exercise. It’s that easy. Good behavior is rewarded with praise and affection, and it works like magic. I see it every day with my work-in-progress Daisy. When I come home at the end of the day and she greets me nicely—that is, trading jumping up for the all-over butt wiggle/body bumping display—she is robustly praised. There is syrupy cooing, vigorous petting, and a general gushing of affection. It’s a silly love fest, really, but we both enjoy the exchange. Being a smart pup, she tries to get there faster the next day. She has learned that good work leads to more work and if the work is good, more happy love fests.

“It’s been proven time and time again that words matter, especially to living things.”

Along with the esteem of having her humans be proud of her, a sense of belonging is also a strong motivator for wanting to please. After a year and a half with us, Daisy is solidly entrenched in our tribe. Her needs and comfort are considered daily. She is greeted with affection, fed on schedule, and treated fairly and consistently. In short, she has found a good home guaranteeing a future free of worried days in a shelter.

She has bonded with my husband (no surprise there, since it has been widely speculated that his veins are pumping canine blood). She has bonded with me too, but in separate ways. For instance, she wrestles with him—dodging and diving, growling and barking. She knows I don’t play like that, so she doesn’t even attempt to initiate that game with me. At bedtime, I’m usually under the covers first. She jumps up, lies across my husband’s side of the bed, and rests her head on my lap, where she is lovingly petted. We call it snuggling. She closes her eyes, falling deep into the luxury of pillow life, but checks constantly, looking out for him, knowing he will ask her to move when he wants to get in. Despite the inevitable rousting, she is determined to enjoy every available moment. He feigns insult that she offers me cuddles and him Kujo. She and I feign innocence until he breaks up our snuggle fest.

Have you ever seen the before and after adoption photos of dogs being sprung from a shelter? Inside, their entire beings are low—slumped shoulders, head down, sad look on their faces. And outside, safely in the arms of their new human, they demonstrate smiling faces, wagging tails and an eagerness to climb into their skin. You can imagine the dialogue unfolding. Lots of sayings like ‘good dog’ and ‘there’s a good boy’ and ‘you’re a good boy’ floating around. How could you not smile? It’s so obvious that belonging is important. Dogs are pack animals after all. Just like watching the people you love being happy and in a good place, it warms the heart to observe a happy, secure dog. It shines from head to tail.

It’s been proven time and time again that words matter, especially to living things. What you say to plants, fellow humans, and your pets sets the tone. If it’s positive and accepting, there is growth. If the opposite is true, growth is stunted—sometimes physical and sometimes emotional. Sometimes both. Failure to be kind results in a failure to thrive.

If you are a dog lover—and if you’re reading this article, you most likely are—you enjoy meeting new canine friends. You see them walking along with their human, ask if it’s okay to say hello and, crouching down on their level, you introduce yourself. This usually involves looking into their sweet face and scruffing their neck. It’s a love language and recognized as such. I know when my husband is spotted doing this—a common occurrence—he is relaxed and smiling and so is his new friend. What are the words he uses? Good dog, of course.

You may be reading this and thinking that your dog is often naughty—maybe undeserving of such praise. I’m here to attest that in the game of ‘carrot and stick’ more carrot is the way to go. Look for excuses to heap praise on your pup. It will turn things around. They do the wrong thing three times in a row and suddenly do the right thing—pile on the praise. Any and every excuse to utter those three important words is worth seizing. And remember that it works for every living thing—plants, humans, and every good dog out there.