Dog Training: The Truth About Treats

Posted on June 8th, 2018 by FetchMasters in Positive Dog Training

Treats are great and useful, but they do have some limitations. But do not confuse positive dog training with treat training. That is an antiquated and unsophisticated understanding of positive training.

The Truth About Treats Video Summary:

1. Positive Does Not Mean Treats
   1. Anything can be reward
   2. Food Rewards are an early behavior acquisition tool
   3. Food is currency for many dogs
2. I don’t want to have to carry around treats!
   1. They are less obtrusive than an e-collar remote control
3. Will my dog be weaned from treats by the end of Level One Obedience?
   1. In two weeks, will you be willing to work for no money?
   2. A virtual weaning from food rewards is pretty easy if you are observant about what your dog likes, wants or needs.
4. I don’t want to have to fiddle with treats while I’m trying to focus on hunting or hiking.
   1. Positive gun dogs don’t work for food – at least if they are selected and trained correctly.
   2. They work for a different sort of reward system.
   3. And it’s the same with pet dogs … the things they enjoy should be their reward for doing what we ask of them.
5. There are those who think dogs should not have to comply to receive the things they like. However, animals are hard-wired to use their behavior to achieve what they need, want or like. So I see such a reward system as tying nicely into the very nature of animals in general and dogs in particular.

In or around Denver and want more information on our various positive dog training programs and pricing, please contact us.

Outside of Denver and still want FetchMasters’ help? Check out our Distance Coaching Program!