Bring in the reinforcements!
Like many in my field, I am what is known as a “cross-over trainer.” This means that I started out using traditional or compulsion-based training methods, and along my path, I found reward-based training to be not just more dog-friendly, but more effective for the work that I do, both with my clients as well as with my own dogs. To some trainers who have not yet “crossed over,” I may be considered a “cookie pusher.” Yet, they wonder why all the dogs I work with are not overweight. The fact is that there are numerous ways to motivate a dog, and a wide variety of things that we can use as reinforcers, in addition to food treats.
Since this issue of Bay Woof is about nutrition, let’s address the matter of food first. My clients often bring up the concern about their dog potentially gaining weight while training due to the use of food treats. However, this need not be the case. Following are some ways of assuring that your dog maintains a healthy weight while still utilizing food treats in your training program.
Use their own kibble or food as training rewards. When I first got my youngest dog, Tesla, I measured out her meals every day and put the majority into a Ziploc bag, specifically for training. This allowed me to keep track of just how much I was feeding her, while still allowing sufficient “treats” for training. To make the kibble more appealing than a regular meal, you can add some tuna juice or meat broth to the baggie full of kibble. Yes, you are adding some calories, but not as much as you would in feeding rich food treats. On days when I used more treats than usual, I would just reduce her dinner ration. There are still days when my dog will get just a “symbolic meal,” as a colleague calls it, because she’s had enough to eat throughout the day.
Choose the healthiest possible treats for most of the training. There are quite a number of healthy, all natural treats available now that are low in sodium and sugars, and high in appeal, so that you can give your dog plenty of treats without seriously sacrificing nutrition. My favorites are the now common freeze dried meats such as chicken and liver. As an added bonus, these are usually single ingredient treats, so if your dog suffers from allergies, you are more likely to find a suitable option.
Include lower calorie, healthy treats such as cut carrots, green beans and other veggies. (Be sure they are dog-safe veggies, of course.) While some dogs may turn up their noses at veggies, many dogs will eat them happily. In fact, when I lived up in the hills without regular access to lawns, I grew wheat grass and used it as training treats for my dogs.
Then again, food isn’t everything. (OK, maybe some of your pooches out there won’t agree!) In addition to food treats, there are many many things with which to motivate a dog in training.
Play – my personal favorite, this can take on many forms including a good game of tug, retrieving a ball, running or sprinting (I like to encourage my dog to chase me) or even what I call “dancing around” with your dog – encouraging him or her to play bow as you bounce back and forth alongside.
Toys – a subset of play, many dogs love toys such as balls, squeaky toys, rope toys, etc.
Running or sprinting – yes, this can be a reward for a dog that is motivated by movement, such as most of the herding breeds as well as many hound breeds.
Scent – yes, the opportunity to smell something interesting can be very reinforcing to most dogs, but for scenting breeds in particular.
Physical attention – while not all dogs like physical touch in all contexts (i.e. working dogs often avoid physical contact while working), petting or belly rubs can often be very reinforcing when it comes from a beloved family member or friend at home.
Freedom – that’s right, the opportunity to be off-leash, to run and play with a friend, or just to go out into the yard for a while, can also be used to reinforce a desired behavior.
Paraphrasing Sue Sternberg, as interviewed by Victoria Stilwell, “A dog will follow and respond to the one who is the most fun.” This is based on recent observations of feral dog packs, where dogs most wanted to hang out with the dog who was friendliest and most fun. What does this mean for your training? If you want to motivate your dog to do what you want, find the things that he or she wants. Then use these motivators to convince him or her that what you have to offer is always the most fun possible, and exactly what he or she wants.
Happy training!
Cecilia Sternzon, Principal and Founder of Canine Higher Learning, has been working professionally as a dog trainer for over two decades. She teaches group classes and offers behavior counseling and coaching, specializing in working with high drive dogs as well as kids and dogs. Her website is www.caninehigherlearning.com, and her blogs are at www.cratesandcribs.com and www.highdrivedogs.com/blog. She resides in San Martin, CA with her husband, daughter, 3 dogs, and a variety of other animals that she enjoys training whenever she has a chance.
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