| Two days ago I was training a couple dogs with a | | | | until the dog learns what we are working on. The |
| good friend of mine. We were working on the basic | | | | pay does not get worse, it just happens less often. |
| stuff, you know, sit, down, come when called, when | | | | At this point the dog is motivated for the paycheck |
| he asked me a question about treats. | | | | and really doesn't care that it only comes every 3rd |
| He asked, "Jason, why do you give the dog so many | | | | or 4th time instead of every single time. |
| rewards?" My answer is simple. Because if you pay | | | | I use tug toys and balls to reward as well. Again, the |
| the dog well, they do better work for you, pay | | | | rewards come often and are so much fun for both |
| them poorly or not at all and you get lack luster | | | | myself and the dog. Why would I not want to have |
| work. | | | | fun training right? |
| Think of it like this, if your paycheck came every 6 | | | | Whatever paycheck you give your dog, tug toy, ball, |
| months instead of every week or two, would you | | | | squeaky squirrel, chicken liver, or a simple pat under |
| be a hard worker or would you tend to cut corners? | | | | the chin, it makes since to reward them for a job |
| Be honest. I know I would tend to start off great | | | | well done. I am not a fan of completely getting rid of |
| but as bills piled up I would become frustrated with | | | | the reward either. It stays, forever, why? Because |
| the fact that I was only get paid twice a year for | | | | my dog's happiness means a lot to me. Why would I |
| hard work I am doing every day. | | | | want to take the fun out of training. It's silly and |
| Your dog doesn't see this any differently. They love | | | | even the most competitively trained dog out there |
| you. They want to work for you. They deserve to | | | | can be rewarded at all times. Just ask any narcotics |
| be paid well. Now I am not saying go out, buy a box | | | | search team. Do they reward the dog every time |
| of Milkbones and just start tossing them to your dog | | | | they find drugs? Yup. Do they say, "good job dog |
| for no reason. Quite the opposite. First, I dislike | | | | here is a milk bone?" Nope. They play the dogs |
| Milkbones. Second, the dog has to do something for | | | | favorite game and show them how proud they are |
| the paycheck. | | | | of the work they did. |
| When I am starting a dog in obedience the dog is | | | | Whatever you believe, to treat or not to treat, I'll |
| paid extremely well. You could say that I treat them | | | | leave you with this to think about, why not? |
| like a rich kid who gets anything she wants. That is | | | | |