Today Hubby came with us on our walk, I was a bit nervous because he tends to be very critical of my training methods. Hubby doesn’t believe the dogs should have treats every time they come up to me. I feel if they get a treat every time they come to me, it reinforces that good things happen when they are around me.
I’m still not really sure if I should give them treats if they come to me on their own accord, but that’s what I’ve been doing and it seems to be working. The thing I’m finding about using positive reinforcement during our hikes is there are certain food items that are more valuable than others.
So far I’ve used a bunch of different treats, People Crackers, Hot Dogs, Roast Beef, Freeze-Dried Salmon, Ground Beef and Duck that looks like a really long, really fat Slim Jim. By far the treat that works best for Delilah is Roast or Ground Beef. She would get about 50 feet away from me, turn around to look at me and if I gave her the slightest bit of encouragement, back she came. Every time.
I still have her on the check cord which also seems to be working well for her. Today we walked close by the area she is prone to taking off in. She turned and took a few steps in the wrong direction and we called her back and she came!
Our walk was cut short because it started raining really hard, but I wanted to reward her for being such a good girl (and also help tire her out a bit) so we had a quick came of fetch in the field.
Wet but happy.
This is a blogpaws blog hop, you can get your code here http://www.blogpaws.com/2011/09/wordless-wednesday-some-reasons-to-get-your-2012-blogpaws-ticket-early.html
Looks like you have a lot of water there. We trained in the blowing rain tonight but it wasn’t as wet as that field looked. I bet you had to wipe some muddy paws after that game of fetch. 🙂
I think if what you are doing is working for you, keep doing it (don’t tell your husband that I said so though ;)). No two dogs are the same and the best trainers aren’t afraid to alter their methods for each dog.
The field was WET! We had a lot of rain in August, and September seems like it is following the same path! It rained all day yesterday and on and off today. I have rugs lining the car so their paws get wiped off their, but we come home and towel them dry.
How did the 2 brown dogs do in the rain? Do they mind it much?
Between you and me, he can complain all he wants but I am the one working with her and I am the one walking with her, so I will be the one to make the decisions as to how it all plays out. 😉
Thank you for the support!
I posted a little (tiny cell phone) video of a bit of their work. They could care less about rain, but we were soaked….lol.
Between you and me, when the 2 brown dawgs were young they would not come in after doing their business in the yard. I think they thought it was a good game to run around the yard as I was frantically trying to leave for work. How did I fix that? You guessed it…treats! 😉
Agree if it works do it!!
She looks real happy retrieving her bumper 🙂
Thanks Misty, she loves the bumper. It’s funny because we were always trying to get her to play with a ball but it didn’t interest her that much, then we did a stick while in NH and she LOVED it. You just have to find what they like. 🙂
Delilah is coming around well. Your perseverance is paying off. Just keep the Crisco up high!
Big Al, I think I put everything away that I could possibly put away! I hope that the daycare will tire her out and help mellow her a bit.
Sigh, those hubbies and S.O.s are so hard to train! The proof is in the pudding though–you’re definitely doing something right!
I’m determined to prove to him there is a better way Kirsten! 🙂
I look at the ‘bribes’ of treats as just a temporary thing–At some point they won’t need or expect them…At least that’s my theory, I do have to say that rattling that treat jar does wonders for getting a couple of our dogs inside! 🙂
I agree Kim, but you what? Even if the treats aren’t temporary, I prefer that over forcing them to do something. 🙂
Hi Jodi!! Our internet has been down here at home, and I’m catching up on your blog. I just want to say that I feel like I learn something every time I visit–THANKS for that!!
I do give a lot of treats to the dogs–Goldens thrive with positive reinforcement, and like you, I don’t make/force one of the dogs to do something they didn’t want too, unless something was about to harm them–And for Todd (puppy) many times it’s that darn cat! 🙂
The power of the liver treat should never be takn for granted. I have been able to do so much more with my patients because of positive reinforcement. I can’t wait for all the old school methods to be phased out.
Dr. Rayya when will that happen? And do you think ALL dogs can be trained with positive reinforcement? I know people question that.