April 4, 2025
Why are treats so important?
In behavioral science, the “treat” is the reinforcer. When used properly it helps your dog
learn new skills. It’s not bribery, it’s science. It also makes sense. Would you work an eight hour
day if you didn’t get paid? There’s a lot to know about treats and how to use them. Let’s get into it.
What you need to know:
- Food is a primary reinforcer for dogs and they are biologically driven to work for it.
- Using treats consistently teaches your dog that paying attention to you pays off, making them more eager to participate in training and more likely to pay attention to you.
- No lures allowed. If you show your dog the treat before you ask for a behavior, he’ll learn to only execute the skill when you show him the treat first.
- Timing is critical. To reinforce a behavior, the treat should be delivered within 2 – 5 seconds. After that, your dog will no longer make the association between the behavior and the treat.
- Saliency matters. Your dog will be more likely to perform a behavior for a quality meat treat then he will for a cookie or biscuit type treats.
- YOU MUST have the treats on your body. If you don’t your dog will respond selectively. i.e. when he feels like it. You will also not be able to capture behaviors you like. i.e. another dog walks by and your dog remains calm and doesn’t bark. You can only capture that behavior and make it more likely to reoccur if you have treats on you. It’s a missed opportunity if you don’t.
These dogs are all waiting for me to ask them to do something because they know I have treats:
Why are treats so important?
In behavioral science, the “treat” is the reinforcer. When used properly it helps your dog
learn new skills. It’s not bribery, it’s science. It also makes sense. Would you work an eight hour
day if you didn’t get paid? There’s a lot to know about treats and how to use them. Let’s get into it.
What you need to know:
- Food is a primary reinforcer for dogs and they are biologically driven to work for it.
- Using treats consistently teaches your dog that paying attention to you pays off, making them more eager to participate in training and more likely to pay attention to you.
- No lures allowed. If you show your dog the treat before you ask for a behavior, he’ll learn to only execute the skill when you show him the treat first.
- Timing is critical. To reinforce a behavior, the treat should be delivered within 2 – 5 seconds. After that, your dog will no longer make the association between the behavior and the treat.
- Saliency matters. Your dog will be more likely to perform a behavior for a quality meat treat then he will for a cookie or biscuit type treats.
- YOU MUST have the treats on your body. If you don’t your dog will respond selectively. i.e. when he feels like it. You will also not be able to capture behaviors you like. i.e. another dog walks by and your dog remains calm and doesn’t bark. You can only capture that behavior and make it more likely to reoccur if you have treats on you. It’s a missed opportunity if you don’t.
These dogs are all waiting for me to ask them to do something because they know I have treats:
October 30, 2024
Starting Halloween Week we have:
Dracula – Bronco who was very scary!
Scary Ghost – Puck who kept getting revealed by the breeze!
Chucky – Javy who kept losing his knife and red hair!
Tiger – Curlee was born for this role!
Purple Octopus – Lola who nailed it!
The Lion and the Movie Star – Vader played both roles and decided the movie star was less itchy! Puck also played The Lion!
Starting Halloween Week we have:
Dracula – Bronco who was very scary!
Scary Ghost – Puck who kept getting revealed by the breeze!
Chucky – Javy who kept losing his knife and red hair!
Tiger – Curlee was born for this role!
Purple Octopus – Lola who nailed it!
The Lion and the Movie Star – Vader played both roles and decided the movie star was less itchy! Puck also played The Lion!
