I have no problem with training with treats. This is about what I see as inadequate training with treats and my concept that some may want to adopt. First finding the adequate treat; I believe it should be something small, tasty and quickly devoured without any chewing. That causes them to quickly refocus on you. Building that focus for longer periods being the goal!

What I see as a common training mistake is the lack of a secondary reinforcement. I use a quick tinkle under the chin, lifting the chin, causing them to make eye contact and speaking softly to keep them interested in me, saying something in a nice tone. Ideally it is a quick touch and even timely for the desired response. This is the beginning of getting the desired response without using food, or getting a dog that wears a sign saying, “will work for food only”!

Another mistake is allowing the dog to try and take the treat or demand it. It should be withheld until the desired behavior is exhibited then “give” the treat using the secondary reinforcement. Another factor that is important here is your posture, (body language) it should always be consistent with the command for better understanding in your companions favor.

More food for thought is that people think it is cute that their doggy responds to “cookie or treat” as words that could also be the word “here or come”, as they come for it. For dogs that are learning later in life or those that are painfully smarter than us, that know when we have a treat or not. This is when posturing (body language) is so important. You have to look as though you really do have it. Initially you should always have it for so long that they respond one hundred percent, and you are also consistently reinforcing with secondary reinforcement. Then you use variable reinforcement, sometimes you have it and others you don’t. Initially in all increments of training and learning you should give the dog the advantage by not allowing any mistakes be made thus setting positive behavioral response.

The answer as to how long this takes has a couple factors of its own. Dogs are individuals also, so it will vary by breed, age, your consistency and how it’s presented, or allowing the dog to learn. I suggest working a lot of short positive sessions in a day mixing it up and keeping it fun not over tiring or to the point you force the dog to make mistakes through over doing it.

The mixing of acceptable treats can keep a dog interested in anticipation as they never know what’s next. Anticipation is a great tool also as many of us can also attest. Used correctly it heightens interest and focus.

Written by: Steve Estrada for “Gone to the Dogs” 11/2003