When To Stop Using Food Rewards in Dog Training

[@matilha01]

Finally next April I'll move to Canada and get closer to my dream of knowing Leerburg. You and Michael, your wife, Tyler and the others helped me a lot. Thank you so much

[@d1sp0sabl3H3r0]

Excellent video packed with great advice.

[@ICantHandleThis]

Thanks for the q and a videos. They're especially good for me as you don't need to look at the screen for these vids. I'm enjoying listening as I drive to and from work. Learning a lot as I go. Applying what I can where I can. Truly appreciate your work Ed and Cindy.

[@jonwilliams4546]

Thank you for this. Golden nugget of information

[@SheilaG971]

“That’ll get their attention”! 🙌

[@denisenoele]

We're at the stage where getting the perfect response depends on the degree of distraction - so treats are still part of the program. If he follows through nicely he usually gets one, if he slides into perfect place that jackpot is most likely coming! It's fun for both of us. I have learned over the years to pay attention to the time - and if he starts to drag it's usually because we've been at it too long so it's my job to watch the clock and stop on a high note. Thank you Leerburg for sharing so much valuable information. Happy and safe training to all!

[@solitarybeag]

I needed this. We aren’t ready to stop, but I need to work on focus with/without food. Working with a good trainer. Thank you. I thoroughly enjoy and benefit from your videos.

[@angelescobar1761]

The best in the Industry 💪👌

[@cschadwick]

Very helpful video, clearly explained, and makes so much sense. I laughed at the analogy between the slot machine and the reward system. Thanks for the explanation regarding fluency, variable and random rewards. It’s great you addressed, how we as owners, have to really try and figure out what we did wrong, when things go south!

[@tterexx426]

I asked Cindy this question a few weeks ago and got a not only professional, but also very nice answer from her! Ed in this video explains the same that Cindy explained to me. I do worry that I make it to obvious for my dog that I have food - e.g. I have a bait bag and the dog knows this is where the food is, so I am worried that she knows when I forget the bait bag. But right now I am comfortable with how I train the dog because I actually moved to another country and forgot to even bring my dogs food bowl, so I guess she now earns every meal through training... When I gotta feed her anyway, train her anyway and exercise her anyway, then why not combine the three anyway. Also, so true about jackpot rewards vs always the same normal kibble rewards. At the beginning of training, I gave my dog higher rewards for difficult, complex commands and lesser rewards for easier, smaller commands. And when she had a bit of a rebellious phase, she suddenly stopped doing the "less valuable"/"less paid" behaviours, but still followed the better paid commands - such I learnt to vary the value of my rewards. Only problem I have is with how/when to stop rewarding every single time. When she behaves so well, I just cannot keep myself from being so happy with the tasks that I reward every single time. I do have in mind that I have to do more random rewards and I try to at least ask several commands before I reward, but still I think I am not varying the reward enough. But probably my own ambitions are in my way there, because I often ask harder and harder things, like okay, she now can go heel, why not teach heel backwards? She can now go heel left and backwards, why not also teach heel right? She can heel well, now I command it when we pass other dogs. And so instead of getting solids basics and varying the rewards there I increase the difficulty and then reward always... we will see how I end up. Anyway, thank you very much to Leerburg!

[@adityabiyani387]

best best ...nice nice

[@arnoldlayne9469]

I haven’t “rewarded” one of my dogs in maybe six years.. I give her treats all the time, but she is fully trained for what I want that specific dog to do and I don’t need to reward her for doing a behavior anymore.

[@vinceking7651]

Very interesting. I do like your posts.

[@gaborsvagrik4754]

I pet my dog when she does good. That is her reward. She comes even when she wants to chase bunny which she loves to do. Then I pet her and praise her with high pitch voice. Why do you think it works for me with ZERO food - toy - e collar. I know you have much knowledge. Thanks.

[@gaborsvagrik4754]

Not sure if you saw my question. It’s been two weeks and have not heard back from you

[@lyneae3786]

What if some behaviors you accidentally got your dog into the habit of him waiting for you to show him first the food?

[@matveynusinkis1223]

👌

[@jasbek1999GHAS]

Zor

[@jillybean4899]

my dog steals clothes and shoes then proceeds to rip apart until I get up and get her a treat?!?! This goes on and on and on.. I’m the worst dog trainer ever

[@petershanks7520]

Sounds like you need try to build a routine , they respond very well to that , try take it 1 step at a time , some important things to note 1st your dog will likely be the first person up in the morning , usually around sun rise , 2nd after morning feed time it is also good idea to add in toilet time , makes for a great system which your dog and by extension you will propser from , good luck

[@alpinek9hans310]

The best answer is -NEVER USE TREATS.