When it comes to using treats and rewards, does your dog have you well-trained? That can sometimes be the case if your dog will only do something if he knows there's a yummy treat waiting for him at the end. The key to using treats and rewards with your dogs is that you're always the one who's in control. PEDIGREE® offers a range of healthy snacks and treats designed for every occasion. Learn more.
"Rewarding your dog is a very important part of the ongoing training process."
It provides an opportunity to let your dog know how much you like it when he exhibits good behaviour. Rewards work best when they're unexpected, and immediately follow the desired behaviour or response. And it doesn't always have to be done with a food treat. You can also use a favorite toy, or even just simple verbal or physical praise.
Keys to successful rewarding
Make sure your timing is right.
You should reward your dog for a desired behaviour immediately after it occurs. Reward only one behaviour at a time.
Match the reward to the action.
In other words, small rewards for small feats, big rewards for more difficult tasks. For example, if your dog has always been timid and you've been working towards making him more comfortable around strangers. You should also take your dog's breed into consideration, especially when it comes to physical endeavors. A small dog isn't going to be able to accomplish certain things as easily as a big dog could.
Have a variety of rewards to choose from.
There are so many ways you can show your dog that you're proud of him. Everything from verbal praise, a hug, or a favourite toy, to a new ball or even a nice massage.
Use food treats appropriately, according to the feeding guidelines.
Showing your dog pure love and affection will go a lot further in strengthening the bond between you and your dog than a food treat ever could. The important thing about using rewards is to get the dog to respond to you, not the treat.
