Treats

[irosstm]

When do I use them and for what, I kno its dumb but I dont want them only do what they are told for food. If I use treats now will they always be expected?

[wannabeowner]

The idea behind treating is that they learn that they are rewarded for certain behaviors. Over time, you'll eventually only treat the 2nd "good" behavior... then once in 3... then randomly give it... and then none at all.

[michele5611]

keep in mind too esp. over time that a reward could be something as simple as a pat on the head and a good boy! Or a quick game of fetch. Have you looked into clicker training at all?

[loverocksalot]

you can use food, and toys and petting as rewards. Food works best for my dog and he no longer needs food to do as asked. Like sit for example. You can lure a dog to sit with food then say yes and give him the reward when his but touches the ground. Or you can give him a treat when he sits soon as his but hits floor you say yes and give him a treat. he will quickly learn that is what you want from him. After a few sessions of that you can add the word sit just as you know he is going to sit. then a yes with a treat. Once he gets the idea you can ask him to sit a few times and not give the food reward until the 3rd sit and so on. In between you can give pets and a good boy. Sometimes with certain behaviors my dog still looks to me for a treat for doing a good job and thats ok cause he still did a good job. Sometimes thats all he gets is a good job. Sometimes on a walk for example I usually have at least a biscuit on me for a good job of walking past the yard of that scary barking dog he hates to pass. I posted some links below that may be helpful. Again go back to the Paul owens website I posted for you on one of your other threads as he has free clips from his dvd and I am sure there is how to use food rewards and how to wean off.

Some links that might help
www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/dog_training_positive_reinforcement.html
www.clickertraining.com/
blogs.dogster.com/dog-training/weaning-off-treats/2010/10/

[loverocksalot]

Clicker training was my life saver. Changed my relationship with my dog that I cant even explain. I am doing a lecture on it on the 16th of February and I hope I am successful at explaining how beneficial it can be.

[michele5611]

www.clickerlessons.com/

[loverocksalot]

www.raisewithpraise.com/DogTrainingVideoLibrary.htm#freebies

Ok watch clickers and markers
Then about treats part 1
then about treats part 2 weaning off.
In fact all of the videos there are probably the most important ones on this DVD so you probably can get away with not buying and just watching the freebees. Or can just buy the segments you need if you wish.
I also will be reviewing a clicker puppy dvd I just took out from library. Will let you know how that one is.

[loverocksalot]

BTW stupid questions are always better than stupid mistakes. Never worry about asking any question here. No one considers it dumb. Almost everyone has been in your position at one time where we knew nothing about the topic.

[loverocksalot]

Basically the use of rewards is that no one wants to work for free. So your paying your dog for a job well done. Just as you dont give him anything for free. He wants to lay on couch he needs to earn it. how do they earn couch time. When they are told off they get off. no off when told no couch. how to keep em off couch. Rewarding for laying on their bed and not couch. and teaching off couch. Not " down" cause down means lie down. He wants time in the kids playroom he needs to earn it. How does he earn it. When he can lay down and relax in the room while the kids play. How does he do that same thing reward for going to his spot during the time when kids are playing. weather it is in the same room or outside that room. Most likely best to be outside that room. As kids playing can be exciting to a young pup. and that can be a reward too if dog relaxes at his spot while kids are playing they can play with him when they are done in the playroom.