What rewards doyou use?

[Whiteboy]

I'm trying to find a toy or treat the will motivate and excite my dog to make him more eager to want to train or play. I have tried balls, frisbies, all kinds of food and treats, tug ropes. But he's seems bored and wot even fetch long cause he gets bored to quick. He seems vary bored except when he's pouncing on the pug.

So with that said..what toys or treats do you use an how did you find out that your dog loves it or them?

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

Have you tried a little cooked chicken? Every once in a while I give Sasha some while we're training, and I've never seen the girl so ready to give me what I want. lol She starts offering behaviors before I even ask her. One time she went on hyper drive and downed herself, sat herself, tried to give me her paw, and spoke for me, all before I'd even asked her to do anything lol I was amused. Usually I just give her beggin strips. She also goes nuts for cheese too, although I don't think a lot of cheese is necessarily great for them. How old is your dog?

[Whiteboy]

He's about a yr old i have tried all kinds of food like cheese cubes and chicken. Only thing I find he like is to cuddle an be a huge non stop moving lap dog. I might try those strips u have it's just hard paying for toys and treats and he not being to excited about them. He eats them and I do train with him but I'm looking for excitement like you get with the chicken. I'd like a toy but thiers just so many and it gets expensive. I know im being difficult lol just would like to see my dog happy not just doing what I say

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

If he's really praise responsive, why not just give him a lot of praise? Some dogs are toy driven, some food driven, and some are simply praise driven.

By praise I mean things like pets or cuddles. If he really just wants your affection all the time, make him work for it.

[BlackPuppy]

My dogs go crazy for the home made liver treats. I make them with chicken livers, ground up oatmeal, and garlic salt.

Of course, all the trainers at the club make it and have spoiled my dogs.

[kiya]

My dogs would do back flips for homemade liver brownies.
Steak or hot dogs work pretty good. Are you training after meals? Try training a little before meals.
Also I know with my girl if I do too many repititions she gets bored and doesn't want to do it anymore. Maybe your doing to many repititions?

[Lilie]

Have you tried a squeaky toy? Try using a lot of praise while you are using the squeaker.

Also, make sure the Pug is out of the picture when you are trying to train. Keep the focus on you.

[Lilie]

I'd like to add that you need to make sure that your training time isn't all serious time. You don't have to be like a general "Now, it's 15 minutes of intense training! Pay attention!" You're dog will roll his eyes and shut down.

You can use what ever works for your dog to get him excited about working. Then throw in a command and then get all excited when he follows through. Make training fun.

The challenge is going to be what can YOU do to train your dog?

[LaRen616]

My dog goes crazy for Wellness Wellbites.

Amazing Treats!

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

Another thing I do during training, when Sasha seems to be disengaging is I'll hold a treat in one hand, and say, "Come here Sasha!" and I'll jog lightly and she'll try to get the treat while I zig-zag, turn all the sudden, or stop completely. Sometimes she gets to have the treat sometimes she has to wit until I randomly shout, "sit" or "stay" etc. and she has to do what I asked before she gets the treat. It seems to make it more of a game for her that way.

ps. if you do this be prepared to look like crazy lol! I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts!