Dos and Don'ts of Using Treats in Dog Training
Pet Learning Centre

Dos and Don'ts of Using Treats in Dog Training

Your dog is adored and cherished more than words can tell and in return is an adorable companion. So, it goes without saying that you would utilise every opportunity to pamper them with treats. You can look for dog treats in pet supply stores, grocery stores, home & ranch stores, and online wholesalers, and you can create them at home. They are available and are always enjoyed and loved by dogs. Even so, there are a few Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind when feeding dog treats to your dog.

Training a dog has various advantages for both you and your pup. It is important for dogs to live happily with their family; it assists in avoiding undesirable behaviours, and it elevates a person's relationship with their pet. Here are some fundamental dog training tips that explain dos and don’ts to assist in setting up you and your dog for success.

Dos: How to Effectively Teach a Dog

Let’s begin with the dog training tips that we want to concentrate on doing:

1.    Take Baby Steps.

Have a clear vision of the behaviour you desire from your pup, and then divide the training needed into small, attainable steps. Dogs grab things better and enjoy training sessions more if they achieve the requirement and receive a treat. If your dog doesn’t really understand what you want them to do, think about ways to make the training process uncomplicated and effortless. For instance, if you are trying to train the cue “down” and your dog just sits with a perplexed look on their face, begin by treating your dog for simply lowering their head. Then elevate the criteria from there. 

2.    Be Consistent.

Dogs are extraordinarily good with precision. Cues like "sit' and "sit down" are two distinct cues for them. Keeping that in mind, make sure you are saying exactly the same cue each time you ask your dog for a specific behaviour. This plan of action will help to eliminate frustration on the part of you and your dog, and it will assist your dog to understand what you are asking.  

3.    Use Positive Reinforcements.

Positive reinforcement means treating your dog with treats, bones, chews, toys, praise, or anything that encourages them. Just like humans, dogs want to achieve some payoff for working. You can’t look forward to your dog constantly working for nothing. With that said, don’t over-judge how much appreciation means to your pet. So be thoughtful with the treat or toy rewards, particularly at the beginning. Once your dog understands a behaviour, you can adjust the treat schedule, but you will need to keep treating them at a time interval for a job well done.

4.    Seek Help from a Qualified Professional for Challenging Behaviours.

Dogs are easy to tackle but complicated beings and can show behaviours that are beyond the extent of the average human being to change. For unwanted behaviour, consult a skilled professional dog trainer.

Don’ts: Common Dog Training Mistakes

Some common and basic factors you need to focus on while training dogs:

1. Time Duration.

Don’t let your training sessions cross the time limit of 20 minutes. Most dogs achieve excellence with training sessions of 10 to 15 minutes. It is necessary for you to keep this in mind. Even a minimum of five minutes of training can be very impactful, specifically if you are able to do it a lot of times per day.

2. Location

Don’t begin training at a place with a lot of diversions and interruptions. Like human beings, dogs learn in an impactful manner if they are not interrupted with noisy surroundings. For instance, if you want your dog to understand how to sit, begin the training in a silent room in your home rather than at the neighbourhood park, where you will have to deal with animals, other people, and noises for your dog’s focus. Once your dog is constantly performing the behaviour on cue, you can begin to prove it. “Proofing” implies practising a behaviour in various surroundings and circumstances until the dog excels in the desired behaviour and can do it at any place, even with distractions.

3. Positive Beginning

Don’t use anger, terror, or threats when training. Always begin with positive reinforcement when starting to train your dog. Instantly jumping to cues that are not force-free can lead to a critical relationship with your dog as well as results that are not as impacting or long-lasting. Training should be entertainment for the dog, not a scary and uncomfortable experience. 

4.    Training Session

Don’t get irritated and annoyed if you go through a bad training session. Learning is not simple, and your dog might gradually elevate in their progress from day to day. Stay cool, keep the big picture in mind, and do your finest training with the dog you have before you. If it’s still not working, then pause the session and try again later or the following day.

Conclusion

Treats do have an essential role in developing good habits in your furry ones. The only thing that you have to make sure of is to select the best dog treats that are hygienic, and free of any chemicals and preservatives. Treats from Bunch for Pets are totally natural dog treats that do not consist of any chemicals, preservatives, artificial colours, or flavouring. The man-made treats are created from Nature’s best-sourced ingredients. Bunch for Pets doesn’t just keep your pup content, but also healthy. Because as pet parents, when we talk about your pet, you would want nothing but the best! 

FAQs on Dos and Don’ts of Using Dog Treats in Dog Training

Question1. What should I keep in mind before starting the training session with my dog?

Answer. Before starting the training session, you should keep in mind that the location you choose to train your dog should be free of any noise and distractions. In addition, you must keep treating your dog after every success achieved in order to motivate them. Also, your training session should not be more than 20 minutes.

Previous
Grain-Free vs. Grain-Inclusive Treats: What's Best?
Next
The Ultimate Guide For Natural Dog Chews

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.