Carrie's Canines & Friends

As a dog trainer, I  use motivational methods to encourage puppies and dogs to learn whatever it is I’, trying to teach them. This takes me to why I use food. There are 7 things that motivate our dogs, so why not use something that motivates your dog to teach them what you want from them?

We need to stop thinking of treating our dogs, it is all just food. The diet industry also thrives on this, syns allocated or weekly points to use for your treats – it is all just food, just some contain more calories than others and some are a healthier option for us and for our dogs too.

So now we are agreed it’s all just food and our dogs need food to survive so let’s make use of it.  It is the kindest and easiest way to training your dog is by using food or toys (and the easiest too!)

Domestic dogs have certain needs for them to survive – water, food, bed, sex and exercise, so all of these things will motivate your dog. Why not make use of something your dog needs to be able to survive to train them? I sure as hell not going to be making use of sex and providing them with a partner every time I need to recall them to me! But sex and food are their 2 main motivators, so I am going to make use of one of them for sure.

Dog Trainer Coventry

Why not use the food you are going to be giving your dog any way as they need to eat each day? Yes for sure sometimes the kibble isn’t going to cut it if you are trying to teach something new in a harder environment or trying to fix a problem – in these situations you may need to crack open the hard stuff – Liver. But just reduce down their daily portion if you have fed them through and over time you will be able to reduce the treat value to something easier (and nicer) to have in your pocket.

How good will it feel when you can go for that gentle stroll around the lake, and when your dog sees a person coming towards them in their white combo (yes I have seen people at the park dressed head to toe in white). Where in the past he would have jumped up to say hello putting muddy paw prints everywhere, but this time he just turns to you “yes I have seen that person but I have chosen to stay with you, where the good stuff happens” and you can give him that piece of his morning breakfast as a job well done – you’ll be opening the champagne in celebration when you get home and a pawsecco for your pooch!

If you bump into me on a walk, ask to see my pockets and I will guarantee I will have my dog’s breakfast in my pocket to feed to them on their walk, rewarding all the good behaviour I do want to see.

This is the last blog in this series.

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