How to Use Dog Treats in Basic Dog Training

So you can't get Rover to roll over? Is your pooch a couch potato, whose ears only perk up at the opening of the fridge? Then the problem may not be that your pup has developed an addiction to cable reality shows; as much as you have no clue what really motivates him. No dog training will be successful if you can not find out what really inspires Fido to work it. Look at the dry food and biscuits your pooch sees every day. How motivated would you be by plain bologna on white bread? Try to be creative and find what really will get your dog interested in training and learning tricks.

Even a St. Barnard is not always motivated by a bigger treat . Most dogs respond best to treats that are no more than ¼ an inch. Using smaller treats makes sure your dog will not be tempted to take an afternoon nap after dining; when you are trying to get his attention. Smaller portions keep you in treats longer assuring a longer training session.

Think of treats really as training rewards . It is not a treat that you want to your dog enjoy, but something the dog really wants. No, bribing your dog does not mean you are demeaning your dog's affection for you. It is just that your pooch needs extra motivation. Even if you love your best friend would you work in his business for several hours for free? Most likely you would expect at least a nice dinner out of the deal. It is the same with your dog.
Yes, there are times are dogs perform the tricks they want to perform to get our attention.

Your dog enjoys catching the ball and returning it because he or she enjoys the attention. The question is will you dog not pull on his leash or jump on house guests because they like you? No dog misbehaves or behaves because of their personal opinion of the owner. We train to discourage bad behavior by creating a response to the dog that does not reinforce the behavior we do not like. It only makes sense we reward behavior we want the dog to repeat.

Many dogs find they do like ongoing training; and once a trick or command is mastered you will not "have" to reward the behavior. You may want to just because it becomes part of the routine your dog enjoys . I have one friend who lets their dog out in the yard to do her business in the morning and rewards her return into the house with a small treat. The dog no longer needs the treat to be motivated to do her morning quickly in the yard before he leaves for work. The dog just enjoys the interaction and getting the treat as part of the morning routine. Other times of the day the dog is let out; she does not expect a treat. Treat giving can be a part of every day bonding with our dogs.

Nutritious great tasting treats do not need to be complex gourmet creations or put a big dent in your wallet. Boiling up a little chicken or hamburger (well drained) and keeping some treat sized pieces of meat in fridge will do the trick. Popcorn is also a low calorie treat a lot of dogs really love. Cheerios, a favorites of toddlers, works as nice non messy dog treats. Bananas and carrots are nice treats if your dog has a lot of meat already in their daily diet. Experiment with different foods to see the one's that your dog responds to best.

Changing the kind and quality of the treat often, can be part of random reinforcement. Your dog can not always guess what they are getting so it keeps them interested in the treat. Somestimes you may want to skip the treat altoghether and then reintroduce it. This kind of reinforcement keeps your pup guessing and engaged in the game. When you skip the food treat, pet or play with the dog to teach him to appreciate other rewards as well.

When introducing new items into your dog's diet; do it one item at a time. This way you will know if certain foods evoke an allergic reaction or digestive problems. Of course chocolate, raisins, and artificial sweeteners are some of the items that should never be introduced into your dog's diet. If you are not sure which foods to avoid allowing dog to have you can consult one of the many lists on the internet or your veterinarian.

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http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/positive_reinforcement_training_your_dog_with_treats_and_praise.html

http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-treats-training.html