When it comes to rewarding and positive reinforcement for your doggy when doing a good behavior or learning a new command, treats are obviously the first thing that doggy owners rely on. However, when training a dog and giving him multiple treats throughout the sessions, you may end up with a chubby doggy!. Treats or food rewards are only one way to build strong behavior. There may be times when you do not want to or cannot use food, and there may be times when the best reinforcement is something other than a doggy treat!
DON’T RELY ON TREATS FOR TRAINING.
It is easy to lose track of how much food you’re giving your doggy with these treats in combination with their regular meals. Too much of a good thing may result in your doggy becoming overweight or obese, and that brings the risk of health issues that come with having a weight issue. In addition to weight issues, your doggy may also have food allergies that may be hard to keep track of. You may not be able to easily find a treat that contains the proper ingredients.
It is important to remember that your doggy should love you for more than just giving food to them. Leaning on treats to grow your relationship with your dog can prevent the relationship from reaching a deeper, more meaningful level. While food treats may be the easiest way to train a dog, they might not work for every dog and every situation. Even dogs that aren’t food-motivated can be trained
WAYS TO TREAT YOUR DOGS WITHOUT TREATS.
Snuggling
Providing some good old snuggle time rewards your dog with warmth and love. Curl up on the couch with a blanket to watch a movie or read a book. Or just give some belly rubs and ear scratches, or wherever their favorite spot is. A good snuggle session enhances the bond between you and your dog and makes them happy.
Offer warm words to your dog.
Doggys love hearing an enthusiastic “good boy!” or “good girl!” from their owners. Hearing this praise makes them happy and motivated to continue pleasing their owner with desired behavior. Even if your dog is not as responsive to praise at first, if combined with a treat or toy they will soon become praise seekers. Soon, your dog will learn to associate that happy praise with the treat or tug, and “Good dog!” will become its own reward
New Toy
Find a way to incorporate a new toy into your training routine every so often. When you discover what her favorite toy is and keep it out of sight until training sessions start. When she listens and obeys a command, give her the toy and let her play with it—play with it with her—to show how pleased you are that she listened.
General Play or Walk Time
Rewarding your dog with some good playtime is yet another way to enhance your bond with them and keep them stimulated and happy. Whether it’s tossing a ball, catching a Frisbee, or playing some other game, dogs love to play. Going for a nice walk is another activity you can provide them. A walk gives them exercise, stimulates their mind, and again, is great for bonding.
Touch him where he likes it
Imagine how great it feels to our dogs when we pet them. Stroke your dog’s fur. Rub his belly. As soon as your dog does something you wanted him to do, give pets, pats and scratches freely. Give him a scratch behind the ears, under the chin, or another place on his body that makes him melt with happiness.
These are just some of the many ways you can reward your dog when you don’t want to use food or treats. Remember, when you are thinking about rewards, you can consider anything your dog finds valuable. Another important thing to remember is consistency.
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June 27, 2020
