(08-11-2012, 12:36 AM)Pocs Wrote: I have never taken my dogs to a formal trainer. Luckily I have never needed any, having my boys since they were puppies. I trained them myself using treats and not using them. House training never got a reward of treats, just a good boy and a lot of petting. Other things like sit, lay or speak for example always got a treat.
I do thinkmyou can overload on treats. Not just the over indulging of them, but maybe the dog not behaving or doing what is being aked of them without getting a treat could be a problem.
I try and give my dogs treats a couple of times a day, for any reason not just because they do what I ask or behave. I don't want them to rely on treats to do what's expected of them.
Hi Pocs. I don't have a formal trainer, which is probably the reason why I am having this treat dilemma. I'm trying to training them myself too.
Sometimes, I would make them do 2 to 3 consecutive tricks before giving them the treats. I don't give treats for potty training either. It's when I ask them to do tricks like twirl, bark, down, sit, and up that I give it to them.
I also do the "good boy/good girl" so eventually I can do away with the treats. The problem is, when Chooey eats treats- even just two biscuits (yes, I've broken the treats into very tiny pieces)- she won't touch her food anymore. I'm hoping it's just a phase but I'm concerned that my pup is willing to starving herself.
