Dog owners and trainers understand the importance of positive reinforcement when conditioning a dog’s behavior. Rewarding him when he exhibits the desired behavior will eventually result in him repeating that behavior until it becomes learned. Once learned, he will then exhibit it naturally, without reward. Too often during that training period, however, we automatically reach for food as a reward. This can lead to a variety of problems with our dogs, and is unnecessary with so many other non-food options available.
The problem with food rewards – Whether the food rewards we give our dogs are table scraps or treats specially formulated for dogs, they all contain calories. Forty-four percent of dogs in the U.S. are not only overweight, but are obese. This obesity can lead to major health issues such as cancer, heart disease and osteoarthritis. The average soft dog treat contains 25 to 35 calories each. When you consider that a moderately-active, 30-pound dog only needs 937 calories a day, three or four treats a day can easily push him well past his optimal caloric needs.
Alternatives to food rewards – Dogs respond well to many rewards that do not include food. They are social animals and openly seek our attention and approval. That being the case, why not substitute non-food rewards instead of the doggie treats when training your dog? Here are some things to try.
Play – Instead of keeping the treat jar close at hand, keep a toy or a stick. Most dogs love to play fetch, and it gives them much needed exercise in the process. Touch – Petting your dog, scratching him behind the ears, or giving him an energetic belly rub will be appreciated well beyond a quick treat. It also helps you bond with your dog and create that special relationship that we all value so dearly. Praise – Dogs love to please us, and when we praise them, they know they have done well. Sometimes all it takes is an enthusiastic “atta-boy” to get their eyes shining and tails wagging. Grab the leash – Most dogs love to go on walks. Mine get hyper-excited anytime they see me touch their leashes. Reward good behavior with a walk around the block or trip to the dog park. Customize the reward to your dog – Every dog is different and each has his favorite things. Perhaps yours likes playing hide-and-seek under the covers or playing tag in the back yard. Capitalize on what makes him happiest and use that activity as his reward for good behavior.
Regardless of whether you’re trying to train your dog to roll over or stop barking at the mailman, positive reinforcement, if administered correctly and consistently, can get the desired results. Always keep your dog’s health foremost in your mind, and opt for non-food rewards next time. Your dog will likely be around a lot longer to love you for it.
Sources:
Katherine Kam, “Healthy Dog Treats: Natural, Organic, and Other Treats to Help Keep Dogs Fit,” Pets.WebMed.com
“Metabolic Energy Requirements for Dogs,” MyCockerSpaniel.com
More from Cherri:
Healthy Snacking Tips for Dog Owners
Will Table Scraps Hurt My Dog?
How to “Treat” Your Dog Without Compromising His Health