Using treats is frustrating!

root · 11-09-2009, 08:33 PM

I'm sure its just me, but I am finding using treats to be rather frustrating. For one finding the right treat. I don't want a dog that eats any human food regardless of its purpose(cheese, chicken, hotdog..etc). But the "doggie" treats I have found have either been something the dog can't eat quickly so she breaks concentration to work on the treat. Or the treat is too boring. Many of the things that people in here think is cute and dog funny just irritate me. That must be my "not a dog person" shining through. Also having the dog worried more about the frickent treat than the lesson is irritating and I"m sure the dog senses it. I don't enjoy the treats "game" and the dog just wants the treats. I tried to get the dog to sit and stay with treats and it would sit just fine but if my hand went near my poket it would break the sit and come to me..or if we were walking on leash it would jump up trying to get in my pocket. It was the worse behavior the dog has ever shown. I had had enough of that...and reverted back to my first trainers choker collar sessions and gave the dog some good corrections and the dog heeled when walking sat when I stopped and stayed put until I called it. AND the dog still had a prance it her step and affection to give. I'm gonna have to find another way cause I must not be using the treats correctly though its pretty basic. My click/treat timing is perfect but there is either some missing steps or I'm bound to be an old school trainer.

**Criosphynx** · 11-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Many of the things that people in here think is cute and dog funny just irritate me.

such as?

have you read my training with food sticky?

Sounds like you expecting waaay too much from your dog waay to fast. Also sounds like you are using food slightly incorrectly..If the dog is failing its the trainer, not the dog.

Quote:

had had enough of that...and reverted back to my first trainers choker collar sessions and gave the dog some good corrections and the dog heeled when walking sat when I stopped and stayed put until I called it.

and if you remove the choke collar do you have the same results?

Luv2byte · 11-09-2009, 08:59 PM

Feeding her hotdog isn't a bad thing, I often use low fat turkey hotdogs cut in to small pieces (I cut them in 1/4 strips then cut them down to about the size of doggy kibble).

One suggestion, stop by your doggie boutique/pet store and ask for "Great Bait", its a dog liver treat that they keep in the freezer - stuff is fantastic! I cut them in to 8-10 treats per piece.

I just made my own batch of "Liver brownies", my dogs are reacting to them even more than the "great bait". Also, just a mention, people freak out about feeding liver because of vit A - it would need to be a LARGE amount in a short period of time to cause the toxicity. Liver given with treats is perfectly healthy & full of great vitamins so unless you are feeding a couple pounds of liver a week you are safe.

The stinkier the treat the better. Another good treat is cheese. I get string cheese and cut it like I do a hot dog.

If she is breaking her sit, then put her back in the EXACT same spot, tell her "sit". giving her treats throughout her sit is not a bad thing, it is rewarding her for what she is doing correctly. As she learns what it is you want her to learn and as she gets better at it then space out the frequency of rewards.

You have a beautiful dog that is a breed known to be intelligent, just know that what might not seem like she is understanding what you are teaching there will be that TADA! moment for her.

Have you talked to your vet to see who they recommend as a trainer? Ask at the dog park, your friends or even look online for your local area.

As for her jumping up, turn your back and ignore. A reaction is still a reaction from you and to her that is reinforcement.

When my dog jumps on me when I get home if I turn my back she will sit asap knowing then I will invite her to come get love, yet if I tell her "NO Chloe" "Stop Chloe".... she will keep jumping simply because I am acknowledging her actions.

Oh and at first the treats are the reason she does obey and do what you ask, its incentive.

Brittany · 11-09-2009, 09:13 PM

I am going to start using hot dogs or something similar because it will be WAY cheaper. But I have found the chicken strip carry out DOG treats to be the best for training. I break them into smaller pieces before the training sessions and they soft so the dogs eat them quickly. I understand your frustration but I think your problem is the dog has no patience. Kimber had NO patience when it came to food when we first got him (3 weeks ago). I would make him SIT and STAY at meal time until I said he could come get his food. Initially he would jump all over me and bark and jump jump jump. But now he will sit patiently for up to 20 seconds and I can walk away from the bowl and tell him "Okay go eat". Make sure you don't give treats when he is acting up and just be patient and start over. Eventually he will realize what gets him a treat and what doesn't as long as you are being consistent. I have never personally used a choke collar but I have seen them used. I am not against correction training but I do not think choke collars work. All the dogs I have seen with them pull even when they are choking.

Luv2byte · 11-09-2009, 11:52 PM

This recipe for home made liver brownies (1/4" thick at best) is similar to the one our trainer gave us. I made them the other day and my dogs are nuts for them...hubby says they taste pretty good too

Helps if I give the link: http://www.recipezaar.com/Liver-Brow...or-Dogs-146564

**Cali** · 11-10-2009, 01:15 AM

I agree with crio in that you are doing WAY too much WAY too fast. Slow it down a little, take your time to get her where she needs to be and she will be fantastic. If you rush it, you will have a very confused and unreliable dog, and it won't be her fault either.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to use her name when referring to her instead of calling her "the dog" all the time. Yes, she is a dog, but she's a living being with a personality of her own. This may have nothing to do with her training, but dog people don't refer to their dogs as "the dog" that much..

oliwa · 11-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brittany

I have never personally used a choke collar but I have seen them used.

Every time I think about a choke collar I think of the Simpson's episode where Bart took Santa's Little Helper to a dog trainer and she yanked the chain so hard the dog passed out and Bart asked "Lady, is my dog dead?". May not be funny here though.

borzoimom · 11-11-2009, 12:05 PM

You need to discover the wonder of " cheerios"- yes- the breakfast cereal. Its small its quick, and a pass by the nose the dog thinks " hmmm I must have eaten it...".. See?

Brittany · 11-11-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borzoimom

You need to discover the wonder of " cheerios"- yes- the breakfast cereal. Its small its quick, and a pass by the nose the dog thinks " hmmm I must have eaten it...".. See?

I used Cheerios last night...Kimber LOVED them...Kelsey spit them out LoL...she kept taking them though I guess she thought the flavor would change.

borzoimom · 11-11-2009, 12:53 PM

LOL yea and crumbs on your fingers, the dog moves on.. LOL.. They are great. LOL Used them for years! Having deep chested dogs most of my life, I do not want a treat that fills the gut when working/exercise- soooooooo welcome to cheerios. LOL