Tuesday Training Byte: How to use reward-based training

If you think about it, people would not likely continue working if they never get a paycheck. Dogs are not robots and they will often shut down or just quit working if you don't reward them. So how does this work? We first have to know what motivates our dog. Most dogs are treat motivated, while some not so much, but dogs really seek human attention. When I first am training a dog to do a certain command, I use high value treats (string cheese or hot dogs cut up) and reward frequently and immediately for the correct response. I make sure to "mark" the correct behavior with a "Yes!" followed by the treat. Dogs understand a smile and so whenever I say yes I am smiling. After the dog understands the command I ask him to do perhaps three things and then give him the reward (treat). Next I may mix things up and do a few things he already knows plus the new word and then shower him with lots of praise and pets and maybe a few treats. Once my dog understands the command words, I randomly insert the rewards after correct responses. The rewards can be lavish vocal praise, petting, play time, belly rub, tug with a new toy or treats. In competition, I am not permitted to bring treats, a clicker or squeaker into the ring. Petting and verbal praise is very limited to be given between exercises but the dog must remain under control at all times. Because from the beginning I have paired a big smile with the marker word yes followed by a treat, my dog's reward is the smile. After we are finished in the ring, we exit and I say enthusiastically, Yes! Good work! Let's get your treats. We walk over to the gear bag and get some tasty treats and pets. I do not bribe a dog waving treats or a toy while training. At first I may wear a treat pouch, but quite often I just have some in my pocket and more several steps away from the training area. All of this incremental practice helps the dog to understand delayed gratification- just like you generally do not get paid when you complete each small task at work, you have to wait for pay day. If we stop paying our dogs for good behavior, they may well find other things to do. Dogs want our attention, so that alone is the best reward you can give. Happy training!

Your dog deserves to be paid for good behavior. We can pay them with attention, praise, pets, play, and of course with treats.