Session 100: Pros and Cons of Food Treats and Corrections
On this, our 100th episode, I am going to give a consolidated answer to a question that comes up a lot. When and why I use food as a trainer, when and why I don’t use food, and when and why I do or don’t use corrections or dog collars. It’s all connected, and it’s time we dive in on this particular subject.
Sean, ARE you a food based trainer or AREN’T you?
So much of the confusion about this group of topics is that, like everything, for every trainer there is a different opinion. And it’s easy to take one specific episode (of the previous 99) and think that I either am or am not a “food treat” trainer based on the topic at hand. Different situations dictate those circumstances and I will explain why.
It’s important to understand that one of the drawbacks (or at least an observation you should consider) is that the treats become “the point” for why they obey a command.
An Example
Find an opportunity to evaluate the process when you do and another when you don’t. Was their willingness to obey tempered when they saw that you did not actually have a treat for them? There are several ways to evaluate this – we’ll talk about a lots of ways to determine the best approach for you.
About the Author: Sean
I’ve been training people and dogs in Seattle for the last decade and a half. My main focus when working with clients every week in one-on-one, private lessons is to help people learn to get their dogs to a functional level so that they can actually enjoy spending time every day with their dog instead of stressing about their dog’s behavior issues.
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About Sean
I’ve been training people and dogs in Seattle for the last decade and a half. My main focus when working with clients every week in one-on-one, private lessons is to help people learn to get their dogs to a functional level so that they can actually enjoy spending time every day with their dog instead of stressing about their dog’s behavior issues.
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