Using treats to train dogs? Can you use something other then treats to teach them?

Question

I have a dog and never used treats to train him and he'll sit, lay down, and stay on command. I also have horses and know that people who use treats to train horses aren't really effective and are just asking for biting problems.

So what my real question is food an effective training tool and is there any bad side effects to it?

Answer 1

Food is great IF YOU WANT TO TRAIN YOUR DOGS STOMACH.



Food trainers create unreliable dogs who obey if they are hungry enough.



I train and compete with my dogs at AKC Obedience events, I NEVER use food to train. My dogs are not only titled but they always do it in the minimum amount of time and almost always with first place awards.



My dogs Obey on one command and one command only. I never have to worry about my dogs finding something more interesting then my command, unlike with food.



Go watch a dog show and watch the food trainers, they typically make fools out of themselves when they have to leave the food behind.



Stick to traditional dog training, leave the food behind.



To learn about real dog training visit

http://www.koehlerdogtraining.com



Thousands upon thousands of dogs have been trained with this method over many decades.



I train horses also, I will give you an example-

Have you seen those folks who bribe their horses to go in the horse trailer.

Well the horses go in, but of course there are those times- usually when you need to load up early in the morning for a horse show- when the horse decides its just not that hungry and it does not feel like going in the trailer.



The food training with the dogs is the same thing.



Bribery is not training, never has been, never will be.

Answer 2

I'm glad someone actually trained their dog without treats. Dogs CAN learn without treats- my Shih Tzu is picky with treats so I trained him giving him praise and a "GOOD BOY!" instead and he's pretty smart if you'd ask me. Although treats are a great motivater for dogs, some will learn to listen only when there is a treat so I like to train without treats most of the time. But don't get me wrong, I still use treats pretty often (the ones he likes) but what I'm trying to say is dogs COULD learn without treats! Treats are effective, but for some dogs, some will think they only have to listen when there is a treat so that is one minus. But, some will be the opposite. As long as you give your dog praise he will know he's doing something right, but treats will be fine too. The two of the options are both acceptable in dog training. It's great to carry some treats with you on a training session just in case he is distracted and needs a little motivation.





Also, you can use your dogs favorite toy too. So favorite toy, treat or of course praise. The three options would work fine.

Answer 3

I assume you are referring to clicker or marker training (since you are coming off another question). I considered it, but I do not use it, because it creates a dog that is frantically throwing out behaviors in an effort to find one that you like, just so it can get a treat. I HATE THAT. I much prefer to simply show the dog what I want, and, once the dog understands what is expected of him, correct for disobedience. Its a lot calmer process, and much more logical to me (and it is how dogs relate to each other. Dogs never offer each other treats.) I do use treats with shy or antisocial dogs, in order to build a more positive attitude, but most dogs dont need them. I DO use rewards (like letting a dog go through a door, or continue a walk, or have no pressure on the leash when walking when in the proper position) and praise, paired with the corrections. That approach has worked just fine for me for many years, even working with dogs that other people have trouble handling. (I have to say I watched some obedience videos that were posted a few days ago, and I find the cranked up, staring upward position of the dogs heads bizarre. I assume that is a result of treat training)

Answer 4

I find food to be a fantastic motivator when teaching something new.



Not all dogs are food motivated though - there certainly is nothing wrong with that!



The key is to only give tiny tiny pieces of whatever the treat is (size of a pencil eraser), too many people give treats that are way too big.

Once the trick/command is learned, praise for doing what is asked is all that is needed.



My dogs compete in agility & rally-o and I'm all for cookies and clickers. My titles are written on the same paper the Koehler dogs' are.

Answer 5

You can use play, praise or whatever it is the dog is motivated by. There is no rule saying you have to use treats or food.

Answer 6

I use treats in the beginning. Once the dog knows the command, no more treats. It is called praise.



You continue to give treats for reaction to a command the dog will get to the point unless you have a treat, he is not going to respond.

Answer 7

Food is a dogs' biggest motivator as long as you don't overdo it. That's the downside, when people don't overdo it and either the dog loses that motivation or won't work without a treat reward.

Answer 8

I think you are confusing treat training with bribe training. http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/5-myths-about-training-dogs-treats

Answer 9

Well raw hot dogs and cheese are really good training treats. I would use treats. My dog trainer suggested I mix raw hot dog pieces and dog food mixed together. I'd definitely use food to train your dog - there's really nothing else. talk to a trainer.

Answer 10

PRAISE