When do I phase out treats?
You have taught your dog that when they do a thing, you pay them with snacks. Great job!
When do you stop paying the dog with food when the dog does the behavior you want?
tl;dr: NEVVERRRRR. If you want your dog to keep doing the behavior, pay your dog with treats every time.
Let’s say you’ve taught your dog recall – good job! The dog has learned that when you say a special word, and the dog then comes to you, the dog gets a bonanza of their favorite treats. That paycheck is the dog’s why for coming to you.
Behavior is work for the dog. Big work when it means running to you.
Behavior means giving up other good things. When the dog comes to you, they are giving up doing other good things like chasing a squirrel or sniffing another dog’s butt.
Doing the behavior you’re asking for is only worth it for the dog if the dog expects a good paycheck. Even if the behavior looks, to us hoomans, like a small, even effortless act like the dog staying on a mat.
If you want the dog to do a thing more, pay them every time.
Dogs work for snacks like we work for money.
If you had a job and the pay was low, how hard would you work?
If you had a job and you only got paid sometimes, would you keep coming to work every day?
If you had a job and suddenly the paychecks stopped, would you keep going in to that job or look for something else to do that pays?
Pay your dog with snacks they love.
Pay on time – immediately when the dog does the thing.
Pay every time.
How does this land with you? Does this sound like a lot? Have you heard something different about using food to motivate a dog? Reach out and I’ll respond.
