Patience and rewards for your dog
Once a dog has associated you, your voice and your hand signals with how he should behave, and knows what is expected of him and reacts correctly every time, the rewards can be reduced.
It may seem a little strange but scientific experiments have shown that animals will work better and harder if they are rewarded once every five times at random for the work they did rather than all of the time.
Once the sessions are easier then use the titbits for the new learning, or the best performances, and sometimes give extra special treats, games or praise for your dog.
A dog will work extra harder to win this recognition.
Make sure your dog understands what is required of him and has learnt the exercise well before reducing rewards as he will be confused and you will have to start again.
Note:
- Don’t for get a puppy tires easily.
- Dogs do not work well if hungry, or just after a meal.
- Keep the sessions short and the dog motivated.
- They will only show an interest in toys, food or other treats for a short time.
- Continue to change their titbits so the smells lure them and keeps them interested.
- Avoid large titbits as there could be a weight issue later on.
