Most professional dog trainers agree that training yields the best results when using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. Your pet will learn to respond to your commands more easily if you provide treats and praise than if you punish him for failing to do so. The challenge is providing these rewards in a way that is consistent and easy for him to interpret.
This article will offer a set of best practices for giving your pooch treats as a behavioral motivator. You ll learn how to encourage his compliance with your commands and eventually wean him from food so he ll respond without it. We ll also provide a few helpful hints for choosing the right type of rewards.
Tips For Using Treats For The Best Results
Small pieces of food are the most effective way to shape your dog s behavior. But, for them to be effective, he must understand that he will receive them if he complies with your wishes. Be clear about your intentions. For example, if you re training him to sit at your command, show him the food morsel before telling him to sit! If he responds successfully, give him the treat immediately so he ll make the connection between compliance and reward.
Also, experiment with different types of foods to determine which are his favorites. He s more likely to respond if he knows he ll receive something he enjoys. Pieces of cheese and chicken are usually popular with canines. That said, your pooch may have unique tastes.
In order to keep his attention, make sure the pieces you give him are small; he should be able to swallow it quickly. That way, he ll willingly respond in order to receive more.
Weaning With Praise
Many owners fail to wean their canines off food items while training them. This creates an expectation for treats that can become difficult to break. Eventually, your dog might become less willing to respond to you if he believes he will not receive his favorite indulgence for doing so.
The solution is to limit treats to the initial stage of training. Once your canine has learned the behavior you expect from him, slowly begin to replace food with praise and physical attention. He ll learn that while
he cannot expect to receive his favorite food each time he responds, he will receive your attention. And that s nearly as good.
Choosing The Right Rewards
The right type of food rewards can play a significant role in their effectiveness. First, try to avoid giving your dog treats with a high sugar or high fat content. Provide something nutritious, such as chicken or beef. Second, use items that are soft rather than hard and crumbly. If you give your pooch something that breaks apart on the ground, you ll lose his attention as he scurries to vacuum up the pieces. Third, as noted earlier, experiment to find which treats your canine prefers. The more irresistible they are to him, the longer you ll hold his attention.
Food treats will always be the best strategy for shaping or influencing your dog s behavior. The key is to give him what he likes, be consistent, and slowly wean him by replacing the edible items with praise. He ll
gradually rely less on the treats and look forward to earning your attention.
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