Training with treats along with other food based rewards can be a great approach to motivate your dog and speed the training process along. Most dogs are extremely motivated by food rewards, and treat training employing this kind of positive reinforcement is used to train all sorts of animals, including tigers, lions, elephants and even home cats.
Before you begin a treat based training session, nonetheless, it is an excellent thought to test the dog to ensure that food will motivate him by way of the session. Start around the dog's regular meal time by taking a piece of its food and waving it in front of the dog's nose.
If the dog shows an enthusiasm for the food, now is really an excellent time to begin the training. If the dog shows little interest, or none at all, it could be greatest to put off the training until one more time. Don't be afraid to delay the begin of meal time so that you can pique the dog's interest in training. The benefits of correct training will far outweigh any delay in feeding.
It is usually greatest to get the dog utilized to normal feedings, instead of leaving food out all the time. Not only does free of charge feeding encourage the dog to overeat and enhance the chances of obesity, but a no cost fed dog might by no means be fully motivated in reward based training.
The come when known as command
Once your dog has shown interest inside the food offered to it, it can be time to start the training. Since you already got your dog's undivided attention by showing it food, now is an excellent time to start. Give the dog a couple of pieces of food proper away, then back up some steps. Whilst holding the food in your hand, so "come here". When the dog comes to you, praise him effusively and give him some pieces of food.
Following the dog is coming to you quickly, add a sit command and hold the collar just before you give the food. Following the sit command is mastered, other commands, and even some tricks, can be added. Food based positive reinforcement training is the very best way to teach a variety of crucial behaviors.
One great exercise is the sit, remain, come when known as exercise. This exercise can start with the owner walking the dog, then stopping and asking the dog to sit. Soon after the dog is sitting quietly, the owner backs away and asks the dog to remain. Ideally the dog really should continue to stay until known as by the owner, even if the leash is dropped.
At the end of the physical exercise, the owner calls the dog. When the dog comes to the owner, it receives food and praise from the owner. This physical exercise must be repeated a number of times, until the dog is reliably coming when called.
It can be critical to keep the training sessions short, specially inside the beginning, to keep the dog from becoming bored, and from consuming its whole meal within the form of treats. Right after the dog has been responding frequently, the treats and food rewards may be slowly decreased. It is essential to still offer these food rewards, but it might no longer be essential to supply as several.
Right after awhile, also, it will not be essential to give the dog treats every single time he responds as requested. In general, it really should only be needed for the dog to obtain a food treat 1 out of each five times he comes on demand. The other four successes may be rewarded with praise and scratches.
When the dog recognize the basics of the "come here" exercise, the simple exercise can be expanded, and a lot of games might be created. These sort of games can be excellent fun for owner and dog alike, also as a fantastic studying encounter. Some off leash work may be introduced too, however it is always finest to begin with the dog in a safe environment, for example a fenced back yard.
For variety, you'll be able to attempt taking the dog to other secure environments, such as a friend's house, a neighbor's fenced yard or a local dog park. Attempt turning the dog loose in these secure places, and practice the come when called physical exercise. Constantly praise the dog extensively, scratch him behind the ears and tell him what a great dog he is. The goal should be to create coming to the owner an a lot more pleasant encounter than whatever the dog was performing just before he was known as.
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