Typist: Bethany
In any kind of positive pet training, the most important knowledge for the trainer to have is what the dog, cat, parrot or other pet considers a reward for a job well done. Rewards aren't always an easy thing for positive trainers to comprehend. If I had a dollar for every time someone has told me that they can't teach their dog (or other pet) anything because the pet isn't motivated by food, I would be very rich. And if I was abundantly wealthy, I'd spend some extra money on sending those people to a workshop about alternative positive reinforcement training rewards. It just so happens that I have very rewarding training sessions with all of my pets, despite the diversity in what they consider a reward.
In any kind of positive pet training, the most important knowledge for the trainer to have is what the dog, cat, parrot or other pet considers a reward for a job well done. Rewards aren't always an easy thing for positive trainers to comprehend. If I had a dollar for every time someone has told me that they can't teach their dog (or other pet) anything because the pet isn't motivated by food, I would be very rich. And if I was abundantly wealthy, I'd spend some extra money on sending those people to a workshop about alternative positive reinforcement training rewards. It just so happens that I have very rewarding training sessions with all of my pets, despite the diversity in what they consider a reward.
Treat, Treat and Treat Again
Amelia is 100% treat motivated in training. Motivating your pets to learn with food isn't always just about giving them a treat. It has to be the correct treat and the treat must also match the task. I always train with at least three different kinds of treats. One is the same old, same old. This treat is very small and can be given liberally. Another training treat is something a little more special. The special treats are rotated so they are rarely the same but they usually include a smelly ingredient like fish. The third kind of treat is the jackpot. The jackpot treat is almost always a larger sized cookie kind of treat, also rotated so the treat stays special, is used specifically for training but that I know is coveted. Figuring out what food can motivate my pets can be as simple as asking myself what would motivate me: Do I always want to eat the same thing? Would I consider the same dessert day after day truly rewarding? Should I have the same snack after remembering to take my garbage out as I have after spending the day cleaning up litter at my neighborhood park? Everyone, human, canine, feline, psittacine, etc, has different tastes so there is always another food to try in getting a pet motivated to learn.
All Work and No Play
 | A lot of dogs are motivated by toys. The same focus that a dog has waiting for a ball to be thrown or the joy they have when squeezing a squeaker can be harnessed for positive reinforcement training. Good advice I was once given at a motivation in training seminar is that the dog must pick the toy that is used for a training reward. But once the dog has chosen this favorite of rewards, the toy should then only be used for training. Each of my dogs has a special training toy that only comes out during training sessions. Not only does each dog get to learn and enjoy special time with me, but they get precious playtime with a favorite toy. Another observation made by a trainer at a positive reinforcement training seminar I attended (about Huxley) was that movement itself was a reward (to him.) Sometimes the kind of toy that is a training reward or even what game is played doesn't matter. Any kind of fun as a reward for the work keeps training from being dull. |
Sit, Sit, Hoorah!
| Not all pets are motivated by food, toys or play rewards. My first experience with a praise motivation in positive reinforcement training was with Tynan. When we first started training, Tynan was very enthusiastic. But as a novice he became bored and disinterested. Was he really done with learning? When I ditched the treats and toys and focused on praise, attention and petting, Tynan's passion for training returned. He was so proud to work for a mouthful of "good boy"s and a belly rub. Leo may have learned this train for praise lesson from Tynan, but he also works for cheers. In fact, Leo is known for rewarding himself with a "good birdie" before I even get the chance to say it. Another fan of praise rewards in our household is Brychwyn. He'll often scoff at a treat and roll over in favor of numerous "what a good dog" exclamations accompanied by a tummy tickle. |  |
There are so many ways to reward a pet for a positive reinforcement training job well done. Dogs, in particular, tend to be the most food motivated and the majority of trainers consider food to be the simplest way to reward their dogs. Personally, I prefer to train without food. I am so lucky that most of my pets are simply proud of themselves when they please me. Maybe it is just that my pride in them, which comes out in my voice and how I pet them, comes straight from my heart. There is no more positive of a reward than love.
How do you reward your smart pets?
Share this post:
| Welcome to this months Positive Pet Training Blog Hop hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Dachshund Nola & Tenacious Little Terrier. Our December theme is rewards but any post with a positive reinforcement training theme is encouraged. The Linky below is open all week long so please join us, hop around, enjoy and learn! Next month will be the one year anniversary of this successful positive pet training hop. Please join us on January 5th to share training ideas and goals as well as entering to win an anniversary giveaway. |  |
Follow on Instagram
