7 Tips for Training Your Dog Through Treats and Food
Do you want to help your dog learn new tricks? You should consider including treats in your obedience training.
It’s nice seeing your dog learning new things, but you have to remember that the process might not be easy on their end. What may seem simple to you might be complicated for your furry friend, so it might be better to find a way to communicate—something primal to dogs, which is food.
If you want to change up things, here are some things to know about food-oriented obedient training before you start shopping at your local pet store.
1. Don’t Use Treats as a Bribe
Treats are an excellent tool, and they should be used as an incentive to get your dog to do what you want. However, don’t turn the treats into a bribe.
For example, if you want your dog to eat something, don’t use treats as a lure. Instead, use toys and dog food. Of course, you can offer some treats as a reward to your dog if they finish the task.
2. Consider Clicker Training
Clicker training is a great way to train dogs. The clicker's sound helps your dog distinguish that they are doing the right thing. The noise also adds to the fun of training.
Here’s how you can do this quickly. First, train your dog to associate the clicker with treats. After that, you can use the clicker to point out when they are doing the right thing.
3. Use Small Treats
Remember that dogs can eat a lot in one sitting. That includes treats. If you want to train your dog, you need to decide on the size of treats that you’ll be giving your dog. Small treats will do the trick. For example, you can give your dog small pieces of dog treats, chicken, cheese, or hot dogs. You can also use your dog’s kibble or even your cooked meat.
Moreover, you should train your dog in a way that they won’t get used to the idea that treats will always be around when they’re craving it.
4. Don’t Reward Hyperactive Behavior
It’s good to reward your dog for staying focused. However, you want to avoid rewarding hyperactive behavior.
For example, if your dog has learned how to jump on you, don’t reward him or her with treats. Instead, train your dog to stay calm and wait until you’re ready to give treats.
5. Reward Every Step Towards the Desired Action
Sometimes, perfecting the right trick can take a lot of time. If you feel like it would take a little longer for your pet, it would be better to reward your dog every step of the way.
For example, if you want your dog to sit, start by rewarding the movement of their body per milestone, as they get closer and closer to perfecting the trick.
6. Remove the Distractions during Training
While you want to train your dog in a place where they can interact with you, other people, and other animals, it’s better to remove the distractions during training.
For example, if you want to train your dog to come when called, it’s best to start by calling your dog in a quiet place. Eventually, you can call your dog in an area with some distractions, and they'll still be able to do the job.
7. Try Different Types of Treats
One of the best parts of dog training is the reward. When you’re training your dog, you’ll want to use a treat that your dog loves. However, you don’t want to use the same treat every day. It would be best to try to use different types of treats, so your dog won’t get bored. You can get different treats in different textures and shapes if you want to spice things up.
Final Thoughts
You can train your dog to do many things, but to help your furry friend learn new tricks, you should include treats. The treats are great tools because dogs are naturally drawn to them. The treats can also be used as an incentive to get your dog to respond to you.
For the best treats for your beloved dog, start shopping at Earthwise Pet Supply & Grooming Marysville. We offer an extensive selection of pet supplies in Marysville, Washington, and you can take your pick among natural pet foods, toys, treats, and a whole lot more. Start shopping for treats today for more.