GOOD REWARDS, BAD TREATS

I regard a treat as something ‘out of the blue’ and unexpected. Whereas a reward is something I regard as earnt for a good job.

So I prefer ‘rewards’ for dog training.

Use of rewards

When I am teaching my dog to learn something, I will praise him immediately for doing the task I set out and I will show him how pleased I am by rewarding him.

The choice of reward will depend on what my dog considers rewarding. If he enjoys a tickle under the chin, then he will get affection. If he likes me to play with him, we will play with a toy together. If he likes a strong smelling snack, I will give him a piece of food. The reward adds to him feeling happy and therefore want to repeat what he has learnt.

Misuse of treats

Doling out treats because we like to ‘spoil’ our dogs, can do just that, spoil the dog. By giving a treat for the sake of it, could also be teaching the dog to learn things that actually are not wanted.

For example, begging at the table because someone at the table gives the dog food from the table, and running up to strangers, because some strangers have given the dog food.

When the dog has been taught inadvertently to beg at the table; and if he does not get the treat he thinks he has earnt for what he usually does and gets fed, he may try a little harder by looking more intently. He may even start nudging or barking to get what he thinks is deserved because that is what he has learnt.

Likewise, if a dog is given treats by strangers, he could learn that everyone is likely to give treats and therefore run up to strangers expectantly. Not everyone likes dogs and no one should have to fend off someone else’s dog. So I do not like members of the public freely giving my dog something, however well-intentioned they are, because it could later get him in trouble.

Good rewards

What I regard as a reward may not be what my dog regards as a reward. So I need to find out - what is a good reward for my dog, what does he like, what motivates him and what excites him? A happy tone of voice, a friendly smile and sparkling eyes, and maybe a tickle under the chin, petting, a play of tuggy together or a piece of food from my pocket.

I will use what rewards he likes, what motivates him and what excites him, relative to what I am teaching.

Bad treats

What I regard as bad treats are the ones mostly found on supermarket shelves. They tend to contain flavour enhancers and are given out like sweeties. Too many, and they can affect behaviour and weight.