How to Train Your Dog Without Treats
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 1 min read
Training your dog using food treats is a form of positive reinforcement through reward. At a certain point, treat-based dog training can become an issue. If your new puppy doesn’t obey your commands unless you give them a treat, it may be time to find an alternative way to reinforce their training.
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How to Train Your Dog Without Treats
If you want to train your dog to sit, stay, or come without offering a dog treat as incentive, check out the following tips:
- 1. Recognize the power of treats. Most professional dog trainers recommend that dog owners start obedience training with yummy treats, then wean their dogs off treats later. Treats are a powerful training tool, and while it’s possible to train your dog without treats, starting with food rewards ensures you have your dog’s focus. Your dog will learn more quickly with treats.
- 2. Reduce treats. Over multiple training sessions, give your dog fewer treats when they complete a command to temper their expectations for significant food rewards every time they obey.
- 3. Implement a lottery system. You can wean your dog off food treats altogether by implementing a reward lottery system. For this process, you will need to reward good behavior sporadically with treats, while consistently showering your dog with heavy praise using a happy tone of voice and loving body language. Start and end each session with a treat and heavy praise. There isn’t a set timeframe for weaning your dog off food-based treats. Continue using the lottery system, reducing the number of treats every few sessions until your dog obeys your commands without them.
- 4. Use life rewards. Besides treat rewards, there are other types of rewards that can motivate your dog. Real-life rewards are non-food activities that your dog enjoys. They can include snuggling, walks, toys, and attention. Identify your dog’s life rewards so that you can encourage them to obey commands without food treats. For instance, before you take your pooch for a walk, ask them to sit or do a trick; this approach establishes that they can earn life rewards with good behavior.
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