Final up to date on August 12, 2017 By Pet Leaks 16 Feedback

I discovered about reward primarily based canine coaching a few years in the past, however I actually wasn’t a pure. I might train my canine to sit down by holding a bit of kibble over their head with the perfect of them, however I struggled with something that went past the fundamentals.

It wasn’t till 6 years in the past when Laika entered my life that I lastly began to know extra about motivation and focus, and the way crucial they’re to coaching. The rewards I’d been utilizing weren’t very thrilling for a canine with a ‘go go go’ angle. Giving Laika a bit of kibble for studying a brand new trick is like paying a author $15 for a 1000 phrase article; they’ll do it as soon as and transfer on. The reward simply isn’t well worth the effort.

So I began to improvise by utilizing completely different treats and video games when coaching. I discovered what rewards stored her motivated, and which of them made her yawn. She taught me how you can maintain canine coaching enjoyable & fascinating by switching up the rewards.

Switching Up The Rewards = Extra Focus

I was the world’s most predictable canine coach. Each time I grabbed my clicker I’d head over to the cupboard for a couple of coaching treats. That labored nicely for my canine Carter who cherished nothing greater than meals, nevertheless it didn’t work nicely for Laika. It didn’t take lengthy for Laika to determine the each day deal with for a trick routine, and it actually didn’t take lengthy for her to lose curiosity.

The largest enchancment I’ve made with canine coaching is studying how you can maintain my canine’s curiosity to start with. A mild reminder that I’m the bringer of all issues enjoyable, and that good issues come to those that take note of me. And the simplest approach I can do that’s by switching issues up when coaching.

Laika watches me like a hawk once I get out the clicker. She is aware of it’s go time. She has no concept what she’s going to be studying, however extra importantly she has no concept what superior factor I’m going to decide on as a reward. Somewhat than heading over to the cupboard for a couple of treats I head over to the magical toy field. With greater than 20 toys to select from she has no concept what’s coming. Is it going to be tug in the present day, or maybe a bouncy ball? That spontaneity retains her centered, and the promise of play will maintain her consideration greater than any deal with.

In case your canine tends to lose curiosity if you’re coaching attempt switching issues up. The act of switching up the routine itself will peak your canine’s curiosity, after which you can begin specializing in what rewards will maintain it.

One of many best methods to maintain your canine centered when coaching is to modify up the rewards.

Switching Up The Rewards Retains My Canine Motivated

On the subject of coaching Laika’s taught me so much about motivation. I can get away with giving her a deal with or verbal reward for doing simple stuff resembling practising methods she already is aware of, but when I attempt that with a fancy new trick she’ll lose curiosity. Treats don’t maintain her curiosity like they did with Carter, and so they’ve by no means been significantly motivating to her.

After we’re engaged on one thing new and I seize treats Laika will carry me a toy. She’s much more motivated by play than meals (except there’s meat concerned). So relating to educating her one thing new or particularity difficult I take advantage of certainly one of her favourite toys as a reward. To her a fast recreation of tug or chasing bubbles is a hell of much more motivating than a foolish deal with.

Laika taught me that rewards have completely different values, and that those that I’d been utilizing had been fairly low-cost. “You count on me to ‘come right here’ moderately than chase that squirrel for a pat on the top? No thanks, I’ll chase the squirrel and get my pats later.” She was proper. The rewards I used to be utilizing weren’t engaging in any respect.

I select rewards primarily based on Laika’s love for the reward itself and to match her present temper. If she hasn’t had her stroll or train but I do know {that a} deal with might be of no curiosity; she’ll be all about play. Whenever you work along with your canine you be taught what motivates them; whether or not it’s a recreation or piece of cheese. And you’ll swap up these rewards to match the duty at hand.

Switching Up The Rewards Makes Coaching Enjoyable

Among the best advantages of switching issues up is that it makes coaching enjoyable. As a result of Laika is so play motivated it’s unimaginable to not have enjoyable when coaching. Even when we don’t accomplish our unique purpose we nonetheless bought a enjoyable recreation of tug out of it. It’s exhausting to be discouraged when your canine is fortunately wanting up at you, simply ready to seek out out what enjoyable issues are going to occur subsequent.

Laika’s taught me so much prior to now 6 years, however maybe crucial lesson she’s taught me is the significance of getting enjoyable. Coaching doesn’t need to really feel like a chore, and it actually shouldn’t be boring. By switching issues up you possibly can maintain coaching enjoyable and fascinating for you and your canine alike.

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Do You Swap Up Your Canine’s Rewards?

How do you retain coaching enjoyable & fascinating on your canine? Do you employ completely different rewards when coaching? Is your canine extra motivated extra by meals or play?

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