Using food in training, Pt. 2

So how do we build the trust and cooperation that we want in order to grow our dog’s mindset so that he wants to do whatever we say? It all hinges on clear communication: clarity and consistency foster cooperation and compliance. The common language shared by dogs and humans is play: for all creatures, play is a crucial part of life and is something that we can engage in with other species very easily. Learning to play effectively with your dog will provide immeasurable benefits to his development and will enable you to engage with him in a way that spewing out treats like a pez dispenser can never do.

Some trainers advocate using a dog’s kibble (his regular meal) as his reward for performance. I disagree with this method for the simple reason that his basic needs (i.e., eating) should not be contingent on him doing something: no-one would completely withhold food to make a point, so why should providing it be conditional? Likewise, I don’t like to keep a dog hungry prior to training in order to make him more eager to comply: it’s hard to concentrate when you’re hungry, and why would I want a dog to have anything interfere with his ability to learn? (NOTE: I also don’t train right after feeding a meal: this is unhealthy from a digestive standpoint and he may very well be drowsy after eating a full meal).

By tapping into the dog’s play drive, I can bypass treats and use play to reward, to motivate, to energize and to reinforce his learning. I use tug toys, but I can also play with my dogs without any toys; this becomes very helpful when competing, since toys are not allowed in the ring. At the end of the day, it’s all based on our relationship: we enjoy each other’s company, we can be in whichever state of mind (relaxed or energized) fits the moment and we have a level of mutual trust and understanding of each other that transcends any food-based exercises.