Dog Training with Rewards

If you know anything about dog training, you’re likely familiar with the concept of positive reinforcement. Dog training with positive reinforcement, which is usually recommended over any type of punishment for negative behavior, essentially refers to rewarding your dog every time he exhibits a desired or favorable behavior or response to a stimulus.

Positive reinforcement in dog training involves more than simply giving your dog treats, although that is certainly a part of it. It involves absolutely anything your dog likes and is willing to work for. There are generally three categories of rewards used for positive reinforcement during dog training: food, toys, and affection/praise.

Food, usually in the form of treats, is probably the most common reward used in dog training. However, many dog owners use the wrong type of treat or the wrong size. First, think of what your dog would like. If you’re not sure, give him some options and let him try them. Dog biscuits are not all they’re cracked up to be—they’re hard and dry. It’s worth it to try raw hot dogs or bologna—although these certainly aren’t the healthiest choices. Other real-food options include cheese, chicken, or turkey.

You can try commercial dog treats as well, as they are often convenient and not messy. However, sometimes the taste is substandard, and they may be expensive, too.

Secondly, think about size. You’ll want to dish out relatively small chunks of treats in order to be able to reward your dog often and regularly without worrying about getting him too full or even sick.

Third, think about texture. Soft foods are always better, as they’re faster and easier to chew and digest, allowing you to move on with your dog training.

If your dog doesn’t seem to respond too well to edible treats during your dog training—or you feel as though it’s perhaps time to move onto something different—using toys is another option.

If your pet loves to retrieve, chase, or find objects, then bouncy toys might just be the perfect solution. If he likes a particular ball (an old tennis ball, for example), try throwing it around as part of your dog training regimen. You can also play tug-o-war with your dog using a favorite toy as a reward for good behavior, provided he doesn’t have an aggression problem. There are other types of toys you can try using as well, such as fuzzy or squeaky toys.

Finally, some dogs do really well with praise and affection as a reward for good behavior during dog training. However, most dogs won’t work hard for approval alone. If this is the case with your pet, try combining praise and affection with another reward, such as a dog treat or using toys, to train your dog.