The Mifflin County Dog Training Club

Training Tips - Toys, Rewards and More

Written by Kathy Molek
Sunday, 29 March 2009

taken from THE COURIER, March - April 1995 issue

Training Tip
Food can be a wonderful motivator. But be careful not to over do. There are plenty of calories in some of the treats used for training so cut back on your dog’s regular meals  while you use food to motivate.

Training Tip
When a dog is toy motivated, use just one special toy for obedience training. Don’t show it to him until the appropriate time in the training session. Either at the end or for a special reward when you have worked through a problem. Training will be play time and the dog will maintain an up attitude. This toy is only used when training.

Training Tip
Taking away a special training toy before the dog becomes bored with it will make that toy even more motivational. He will want it more and more because he can’t get enough of it. He will make the association of training being a fun time.

Training Tip
When heeling, a small toy or ball can be hidden in the arm pit of the left arm. As you heel around and the dog is looking up at you, you can open your arm and let the dog catch the toy as it falls out. Practicing stationary catches first is helpful.

Training Tip
When a dog’s first experience with heeling is the command word “heel” and then a jerk on the collar, he usually does not heel with enthusiasm. Some of these dogs will hear the word “Heel” and put on the brakes to avoid the jerk. Remember... the amount of force needed is only as much as required to get the job done.

Training Tip
Place a toy under your chin to help a dog focus up and center on your fronts. It will also speed up recalls. If your dog is food motivated have a piece of meat hanging down from your mouth then just let it go for him to catch and eat. The dog will be instantly rewarded.

Training Tip
A dog who does a particularly good job on an exercise might receive an unexpected large food reward. A Jack Pot! The key to the Jack Pot is for the dog not to know when it is coming. He will continually try hard to get one.