How to Reward Your Dog

Getting good behavior from your dog is best achieved through reinforcing good behavior with rewards. A reward is something that the dog likes. It can be food, play, affection, or even sniffing. By recognizing what your dog enjoys, you can take advantage of many opportunities to train good behavior.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Awareness
• Time
• Treats
• Toys
• Leash
• Dog Chews

1. 

   Most dogs love food. Be sure to ask your dog for a behavior at feeding time before he gets his dish. Either going into the crate, a basic obedience cue, or a trick. You may also use food as a reward for good behavior at other times. Sometimes you need more than a dry dog cookie to convince your dog that if he does not chase the cat it will be worth the wait. Try dry cereal, unseasoned baked chicken, cheese, jarred baby food, or canned cheese. Ask your vet if the treat you are planning to use is safe for your dog.

2. 

   Many dogs would rather play than eat, use play time with your dog to get good behaviors. Ask for a sit or a stay before you throw the ball or the flying disc. Do not throw the toy for him if he is pawing or barking at you. Turn your back or walk away. When he is polite, play with him again.

3. 

   Freedom to run free and chase is an activity most dogs yearn for. If you have the opportunity to allow your dog to do this activity in a safe environment do so. Praise and give him a treat every time he comes to your voluntarily, use impending freedom as a motivator to get your dog to sit and stay.

4. 

   Swimming is even better than running for some dogs. Ask your dog for some obedience behaviors before allowing him to go into the water. Reward him when he comes out and comes to you. Exercise caution with dogs who love to retrieve. If the item they are swimming after gets carried out in the tide, they may continue to swim after it.

5. 

   Being allowed to enter or exit the house is a reward. This is another training opportunity. Allow quiet dogs to enter the house. Teach him that a door will not open for a dog that is barking and jumping. If you are taking your dog outdoors, this is a great reward for sitting and waiting at the door. Open the door slowly, if your dog tries to bolt out of it, close it quickly and start over.

6. 

   Some dogs love to dig. If you have a place where your dog may safely do this activity, you may also use it as a reward for good behavior.

7. 

   Tricks can become their own reward. Most dogs love to see a human smile or hear a laugh and will perform tricks for kicks. Dogs who love to work will also view tricks as a fun and rewarding activity.

8. 

   Taking a walk with you and getting your attention is at the top of many dogs' list of fun things to do. Walks area great time to ignore bad behavior and get good behavior by using motion, treats and attention to motivate your dog to work for things he enjoys.

9. 

   Car rides are a treat for dogs who have had pleasant automobile experiences. Be sure to have your dog sit politely and wait to get into and out of the vehicle.

10. 

    One of the reasons your dog wakes up every morning is to see your smile and hear the words, "Good Dog". A nice ear stroking or belly rub is always a welcome activity as well. Tell your dog that you appreciate him when he is doing something that you like.

Tips & Warnings

• With so many opportunities to motivate your dog exercise good behavior, there should be very minimal need to correct bad behavior
• Set your dog up for success, practice rewarding good behavior without distractions.
• Most dogs love the mental stimulation of working with you
• Dogs do what works, make good behavior work
• Allowing your dog to have free access to things he finds rewarding is training. But probably not the kind of training you wish to do.
• If you do not assign your dog a job to do, he will create one for himself

[pigs4fun]

on 1/10/2008 You know your stuff on dogs. I totally agree.