Food or Praise for Rewards?
The short answer is both! Each has a purpose.
Get a Treat Pouch and Use it!
To make sure they are hungry when it's time to learn something new, skip the meal prior to the training session. It won't hurt them -- physically or emotionally. In fact, it reinforces you control resources for a dominant dog, and helps every dog get focused on learning when you do offer the
food.
Praise -- it's something we will always have with us. Use
it ~ a lot! If you are using food as a reward, use your praise also. The dog will create an association of the food reward with your praise and vice versa.Praise is also something they can learn comes from everyone! The stranger that finds him if he escapes your yard, your vet, groomer, retail clerk, friends or family may not have the "special" treats your dog loves and will only perform his commands for.
Plan ahead for the life of you dog and know that praise is universal.
Always at least verbally acknowledge the things your dog well! Ideally, you will want to use the same words so that he learns what they mean, an enthusiastic tone of voice, and physical touch when appropriate. Consider words like "yes!", "That's Better", "Good boy". This reinforces the behaviors you want him to give you and encourages them to keep at it.
When you are training a new skill or trying to counter-condition a behavioral issue, but sure you praise lavishly for a job well-done! If you have had to give several verbal non-reward markers (No, aaak aaak, etc) to get him to delivery the skill -- withhold your big praise and your treats, and give just the verbal "good boy".
Some excitable dogs may find that your enthusiasm or your physical touch creates so much excitement that they break their command. Tone it down if needed. Don't be the reason your dog breaks his command. If you do have one a dog like this -- save your best praise for the end of a training segment and then bring on enthusiasm and celebrate with your dog for a great lesson.
As your dog progresses in his learning -- save big praise and/or treats only for the times he delivers the command on the first time he's told. If you continue to reward after mistakes, he'll keep making them.
What food to use?
"But my dog is not food motivated". It's true -- not all dogs are food extremely motivated, but most people give up too soon on finding out what food will work for your dog. They will often be food motivated if the treat is valuable enough. A dog's sense of smell is typically quite acute and will entice them check out what we're offering and if they are hungry.
Explore different food choices ~ hotdogs, boiled chicken, dried liver, smelly cheese, etc. The stinkier the better. Figure out what works for your dog. Something usually will.
For young puppies, your training reward might be as simple as a Cheerio.
For all dogs you can use their meal-time as a reinforcement of Sit/Stay or Down/Stay to earn their food bowl. They have to hold the command until you release them to eat.
No Really -- He's At All Not Food Motivated:
If food doesn't work -- you need to try toys. But remember tossing a toy generally gets them up and moving and might not be the reward you want during obedience work or in a group class setting. It's great for teaching, reward for nose work, or tricks -- but praise may be your best option until you are ready to release the dog from a command.
Pudgy Pooch?
Remember, we said skipping a meal is not going to hurt them. So if you are using lots of food reward during training, be sure to cut down calories from their normal meal by skipping or at least giving a smaller portion.
You can also use their kibble for basic training reward, especially after they have learned a new skill. Alternatively, as you advance your skills, you can cut up some chicken, hotdog or cheese, add some kibble to the treat pouch with that smelly treat and alternate the two rewards. The kibble will be enhanced by the smell of the other treat reward.
Dana Brigman
The K9 Coach
Dog Training - Matthews, NC
980-339-8064
www.thek9-coach.com
info@thek9-coach.com
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Begin all training with a consultation with a professional trainer to be sure you're solving the right problem. Misdiagnosis can make the matters worse. Be sure that there are no medical issues at play and that your dog is not in pain, as pain can be a contributor to a new display of aggression. If you have any fear or uncertainty -- do not attempt the techniques without professional supervision.
