There are some people that think positive, reward-based dog training is just a case of throwing treats at your dog to get them to do what we want (i.e. bribing them).
This is interpreted as ‘soft’ and therefore they believe that dogs need a ‘firmer hand’.
Positive dog training is so much more than just feeding treats
Positive dog training doesn’t mean we let our dogs do whatever they like, but it does mean we care about how they feel.
We don’t want them to feel frightened, confused, frustrated or in pain while we’re teaching them. If your dog is happy and relaxed during training, then they are receptive to learning.
Reward Seeking Instinct
If we don’t reward our dogs, they will naturally reward themselves. That’s a given!
Have you ever been dragged by your dog over to a patch of grass that they want to sniff?
Has your dog ever jumped up at someone or stolen something that wasn’t given to them?
Do they enjoy playing games on their walks, like chasing a ball?
All of these things are rewarding behaviours. They are rewarding to the dog and that’s what it’s all about.
Dogs will practice, repeat and get very good at things that they find rewarding.
Focus on the Good and the Good Gets Better
During positive training we are using this 'reward seeking instinct' to mould some of the behaviours that we do want.
If we make these the behaviours the most rewarding to the dog they will repeat them, they will get good at them, they will enjoy the feeling it gives them and they will choose to do them.
This is not just my opinion, this is backed by science.
If we can tap into this reward seeking instinct so easily, why would we ever do anything else?
Pain and Punishment
Aversive training does still exist. There are still people that think pain and punishment are the tools to use when teaching dogs.
It's very medieval and outdated to use punishment as a training method and make our most loyal companion obey us because they are frightened of us, when we can so easily use modern, science-based methods of reward-based training and have a happy dog that wants to learn.
Which one would you choose?
Do you struggle with Treat Training?
If your dog is not food motivated or if your dog has a health issue which makes food a bad choice, rewarding behaviour is not always about food.
There are many, many things available to use that can support a reward system for training your dog.
If you want to know more or if you are ready to give it a go, please get in touch because happy dog / happy owner.
Lynne x