Training without treats

Does anyone train without using food or toy treats and perhaps relying on a fuss or a pat as the "treat" or reward?

*sheep(

Blimey if I tried to train without treats or a toy, I think my dogs would all look at me and walk off !!

Seriously, no I dont. The training classes I have attended have all encouraged reward based training and thats what I have done. I prefer toys than treats for obvious reasons, but with having a Lab sometimes only food will work rolleyes*

I am in the process of replacing the reward for a fuss, but find the dogs switch off /get bored quicker....work in prgress, but it does work well for rewarding general 'good behaviour' like recalls when out walking etc

I think it depends on what you see as 'reward'.
I think to the dog the consistence of the 'reward' is irrelevant. Some like a fuss, some like a pat, some a toy some a treast. The actual nature of the physical reward is irrelevant. Different dogs are 'rewarded' by different 'things'.

In some tasks the actual activity itself is the reward. Therefore nothing else is needed. In some tasks although the activity is the 'reward' a toy or 'target' might be needed as 'information/communication' to gain the action you require.

I can see that for working sheep you might need no other reward then to wotk the sheep. Get it wrong and the work stops. Get it right and you get to work. But anything more atrificil may need artificial enhancement.

I don't find Harriet needs much 'reward' really. If anything I can see how I detracted from training my Aussies well by 'giving/rewarding' too much. I was always told off for over rewarding/praising. So the focus became too much on the 'reward' rather then the 'task'.

This is why it is so valuable to learn from experienced trainers. What we really want is focus on 'task'. It's a real art imo to get this ballance. The intelligent use of 'reward' is an 'art'. this - plus dedication, and ability, and supernatural super-powers, and a tad sip of OCD - is what makes the difference between 'us like me' at novice and the 'gods' working Champ!

beersmilie

I would be interested though in learning tool free reward. I know this is how Harriet's litter were socialised by her breeder because you only have 'yourself' in the ring. But I had no idea how to continue with tool free training and to use 'me' as the reward. Next time maybe! :cool:

http://youtu.be/CuSgKZ-xkNU

Here's a video clip for new owners showing a mix of different ways or rewarding the dogs.

Interesting video clip, thanks x

Hi old step, I trained our 2 year old Eddie with no treats but with LOTS praise in a calm voice.
I found that he loves higher pitched praises and you can see how much he likes being a good boy.
I did not want to be dependent on food treats or toys.

With our Labrador Ben we did the same.

Lots of praise and cuddles.