Training A Dog Who Doesn't Like Treats

[@tiboutoo2352]

It's refreshing to hear an approach that doesn't involve NOT feeding your dog until they're "hungry enough" to take treats. I'm excited to try this!

[@spiritdogtraining]

Yes, I would never recommend depriving the dog of food (or anything for that matter) until they're "desperate" enough to eat. If the dog is healthy and has an appetite, then it is our task to make the environment easy enough that they feel comfortable to take our food!

[@SaroDogTraining]

For research purposes, can I ask you, why did you think that the only way to train dogs is by using food?

[@sonja679]

I’m so happy about your advice! I was worried I had to starve my dog. This is very encouraging - thank you so much!

[@spiritdogtraining]

You're very welcome! I'm so glad that we were able to help

[@SaroDogTraining]

For research purposes, can I ask you, why did you think that the only way to train dogs is by using food?

[@AM-ou1wt]

Will work on this with our 5 month old Havanese puppy who is motivated by companionship more than anything at this time. We also recognize when he is stressed by environment and have been able to reduce that with giving him high value treats while sitting on a bench in a noisy environment first for 5 minutes or less and then la bit longer, always saying 'Cars and trucks". Everything loud and clanking with motors or without is called cars and trucks and now he just relaxes (took two weeks of daily work) and is able to move on with a sniffy walk even past construction zones. Doing the same now with dogs and people with great success using a cheerful "dogs and peeps" while petting him and acting like it's the most normal thing in the world. Being non food motivated, he does well with calmness from us and the verbal naming situations, removing him immediately when we see signs of stress and repeating this every day, twice a day. Thanks for this video. It helped me understand how to perhaps make him more interested in food as a motivator. We took our farm pup home to an unfamiliar and loud urban environment when he was 3.5 months home so did not have the opportunity to socialize him to noise from 8 weeks onward so it's been a bit more challenging and is taking a lot of work everyday. If I was not at home al day I would reconsider taking on any puppy I could not afford to hire a trainer for.

[@spiritdogtraining]

You're welcome! I'm glad the videos have been helpful. It can certainly be harder with those dogs that are struggling with food motivation, especially the more nervous ones, but still possible! Keep up the great work!

[@ScriptKitty37]

I love this approach!!! Thank you so much for sharing this link with me on FB. Going to start working on this right away.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you! I am so glad it's helpful :)

[@KVee12311]

I didn’t even know this was a thing as my dogs are so food motivated! Great video.

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you! It's definitely not a problem a lot of people know exist until they get a non food motivated dog!

[@egleuseliene7861]

Thanks for this video series 🙌 Jyst wanted to ask whether the approach explained in this video would work for a shy anxious dog? Or would some other techniques be needed to be added in order to make our dog food motivated? Tnx

[@spiritdogtraining]

Hi There, Will your dog take food fine in the home, but just now when more anxious/in other settings?

[@Jerry_the_cat]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you ❤❤❤

[@spiritdogtraining]

Glad to hear it! You're welcome

[@sheilasim9200]

You are always so helpful!!

[@spiritdogtraining]

We try!

[@crystalchavarie2946]

This is so helpful!!

[@spiritdogtraining]

So glad you found it helpful! :)

[@almuoc]

Excellent explanation and video! Thank you

[@spiritdogtraining]

You're welcome! Glad it made sense! :)

[@beverlywerner5541]

I have a dog who is hesitant to take food out of my hand. If it's something she really wants, she will open her mouth and let me put the treat in it sometimes, but often she will move away as I try to do so. Most of the training I've watched so far requires the dog to follow your hand. She won't do that (like for the spins), but she will do the tricks that involve picking the treats up off the floor (like two up, two down). She's also underweight, and I train right before meal times at night. She will eat her "dinner" to get the dental treat after. Do you think this qualifies as needing to see a vet?

[@spiritdogtraining]

Hi Beverly, This may just be a bit of hesitation as far as the following the treat goes ... but since you mention that she is underweight, she should absolutely see a veterinarian yes! Some dogs are "naturally skinny" (just like people), but we always should get that checked out :)

[@alejandromedina2725]

Thank you so much for the video. A quick question, how are we supposed to act if even in a isolated and relaxed environment the dog doesn’t take his treats? Mine is personally very picky and would wait for her bowl or food (not free feed) or more valuable treats. In the moment in which the dog refuses the food we just don’t try again, I understand, but if it didn’t take it then, isn’t that reinforcing not taking the food? Thank you

[@spiritdogtraining]

Does she eat her meals fine when they are presented in the bowl?

[@alejandromedina2725]

@@spiritdogtraining not really,I even had to change it to just one bowl a day. 11 months old. Sometimes she just skips her meals

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@alejandromedina2725 Just so I can best advise- Have you spoken to a vet about this at all? Is she spayed? How is her weight?

[@VickieWallis-x7v]

Great video, what treats do u give/use for yr dogs Thank u

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you! We use a variety, most of the time my dogs work for their kibble, but we also love freeze dried raw/meal toppers and FreshPet!

[@mmeles661]

oh god, that just solved half of our training.problems!

[@spiritdogtraining]

I'm glad it helped! 🐾

[@declan92100]

Actually i have an Old English Sheepdog and he was jet black when born and turned completely grey by the time he was 1. It's common for the breed, is that not the case for other dogs?

[@spiritdogtraining]

This would be their puppy coat growing into an adult coat- so still already genetically set!

[@declan92100]

@@spiritdogtraining 1 turned grey and the other stayed black though and they're from the same litter. How is that genetic?

[@spiritdogtraining]

@@declan92100 Different puppies in the same litter can have different coats. :)

[@denisehorgan6683]

Great technique

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thank you!

[@_camy_]

👏🏼

[@spiritdogtraining]

Thanks