Introduction:

Just as there are various dog foods for pitbulls, dog training collars, there are also different way in which you could train your dogs and one of them is through the use of food.

Each dog is different in its own way. Some can respond well to play, toys, verbal praise, while some like food to be used while they are being trained. Training your dog may be such a hard job especially when it is your first time in doing so. What you could consider is that you can use food in training your beloved dog.

Once you try using food in training, you will see that it is quite effective. This is because food has such a positive influence on the dog’s brain.

Food actually has the power to make the dog’s ability to learn even stronger. Aside from that, it can raise his or her’s dopamine levels in the brain which could help him battle the fear and anxiety of training. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter hormone in the brain, is responsible for learning through reward giving and it helps in the regulation of movement and emotional responses. Following are some tips for using food in dog training.

Important facts about food rewards:

●     If your dog is a little down in the dumps, food can help give him a more positive state of mind.

●     Dogs are natural hunters. It is wired in their brains. Therefore, presenting food while training then takes away the fear that your dog has and starts to make him more comfortable.

●     Fearful dogs can gain something from food because it takes away the fear that they have, replacing it with positivity.

Using food in rewarding your pet dog

It is very simple, while training your dog and you see that he has done a good job and accomplished your goals well, give him the treat frequently and as fast as possible.

If you’re afraid your dog might get fat if you are training him a lot, then opt for tinier treats. The smaller the dog, the tinier your treats should be.

Remember that you are teaching your dog habits that will last a lifetime so don’t ever forget to be generous with those treats.

Lure–and-Reward Method

The lure-and-reward training is the most popular method out there in training your dogs.

This is the form of training wherein you show him the treat and teach him how to do the job with the treat. For example, shoving the treat above his face so he sits down and not giving it to him unless he sits.

Always remember to verbally encourage him when he does the trick or habits well.

Give the food when the dog has done the deed

It is quite simple, really. If you want your dog to come to you, give the food to him when he gets there. If you’re teaching your dog how to sit, only give the food when he’s already sitting down. If you’re teaching your dog how to lie down, deliver the food on the ground when it’s already lying down, making sure she doesn’t get up to get it.

Just always remember to put the food where you want your dog to be or once your dog has already done the trick you are teaching him or her. He or she should already be in the position you want him or her to be before you give the food.

How to prevent bribery

The trick in preventing bribery is trying out training him without the food. First, train him with the food and when he gets the hang of it, try getting the food out of the picture and continue training him.

Also, make sure that your dog is looking at you when you are teaching him. Dogs are very intelligent creatures, and they will know that you mean business when you look at them in the eye. Don’t underestimate dogs, because they do understand.

Also, your dog responding to his own name immediately can help in this situation. Every time he is distracted, you can simply call his attention and continue in your training session.

Conclusion

Now that you’re at the end of the article, I hope you are more convinced that training your dog with food is indeed quite easy. In the end, you must always remember never to give your dog the treat unless he is already in the position you want him or her to be. Also, do not over feed him the treats so as to avoid obesity and developing bribery.

My name is Lauren. I am the founder of lovablepawsandclaws.com

I’m a young woman with a true passion for animals. I have kept many pets over the years and has intimate knowledge of their needs both emotionally and physically. I loves that her dogs keep her so active and satisfy her desire to spend lots of time in nature.