How to train with a non-treat eater

[Schalkie]

I have a 2.5 year old GSD, Steiger, got him when he was 1. I have been able to train the basics, "sit", "lay down", and working on "wait", just fine with a some treats, but Steiger is not a huge fan of treats. It is rare now that he gets excited for treats or food in general. I have been trying to tracy him heel and how to walk better on a leash, but have not had much success. Friends have suggested using a toy for training, but Steiger doesn't really have a "go-to" toy. Also, when we do go for walks, if he sees another dog he pulls so hard to try to say "hello". I've tried keeping treats with me when we walk, but they don;t do the trick. Any suggestions?

[susnrob]

My GSD Sadie (2yrs) is not as motivated by treats when we are in a new place or if she's feeling excited. Our trainer recommended hand feeding her so she learns to depend on me for everything which has helped her calm down a bit. We have some really special treats for training purposes that I got from our local natural pet store. Does he like peanut butter? You could try a jar of peanut butter with a spoon. A few days ago I roasted a whole free range/organic chicken. I saved some of it for Sadie. She's loving it! I'm thinking of putting it back in the oven on a cookie sheet to take a little more of the moisture out of it though so I don't have to carry around moist chicken in my pocket.

[susnrob]

Oh and you could also try clicker training. I recently got one and find it helpful to be able to immediately mark the desired behavior with a click and then follow it with praise or a treat!

[Schalkie]

I like the clicker idea, I think I'll have to try that. I used to give him peanut butter in a kong and he kinda liked that, but maybe I could switch it up with some of his dog food dipped in the PB...I'm liking that idea. Thanks!

[susnrob]

Originally Posted by Schalkie

I like the clicker idea, I think I'll have to try that. I used to give him peanut butter in a kong and he kinda liked that, but maybe I could switch it up with some of his dog food dipped in the PB...I'm liking that idea. Thanks!

I found the clicker to be very helpful tool. It actually helped her focus more on walks too. When we're walking along and she's walking right next to my side I would click and she'd look at me and then I'd praise and treat her. Without the clicker she'd end up losing focus and then she'd try to forge ahead or was just off in her own world sometimes.

I read somewhere recently that some people will dip a spoon in peanut butter and then put it down by their side as a reward for heeling on the leash. I haven't tried it, but Sadie does love peanut butter so maybe sometime I'll give it a try!

It really does help to keep the treats interesting. If I try to use the same treats all the time or treat with food sometimes she's just not interested!

Best of luck to you!!!

[codmaster]

Originally Posted by Schalkie

I have a 2.5 year old GSD, Steiger, got him when he was 1. I have been able to train the basics, "sit", "lay down", and working on "wait", just fine with a some treats, but Steiger is not a huge fan of treats. It is rare now that he gets excited for treats or food in general. I have been trying to tracy him heel and how to walk better on a leash, but have not had much success. Friends have suggested using a toy for training, but Steiger doesn't really have a "go-to" toy. Also, when we do go for walks, if he sees another dog he pulls so hard to try to say "hello". I've tried keeping treats with me when we walk, but they don;t do the trick. Any suggestions?

How does your dog feel about "Praise"?

[codmaster]

How about not feeding him his regular meal and training when he is hungry and using a "High Value" treat, i.e. little pieces of hot dogs?

[sharkey19]

You need to find something your dog really enjoys doing. I know Dax is not motivated by food at all. I could literally starve him for 2 days and drop a piece of chicken in front of him, and he couldn't care less if there was another dog around.

Dax has a very strong prey drive, so I found that having a tug toy, and tugging really hard with him would keep his attention. Also squeaky balls for him to chase. He would also pull like crazy to see other dogs. When I walk him, to keep him interested in me, again, I appeal to his prey drive. If I notice he starts looking at another dog, I start running and jumping, and calling his name really high pitched (yes, I realize I likely look like a total fool to the other dog owner, but it keeps Dax's attention on me).

Is there nothing your dog absolutely loves that you could use? Even stuff he may not be allowed to have normally like a sock?

[spidermilk]

I would get him hungry and then try some amazing treats- cheese, chicken (my dog AND cat will do anything for chicken), hot dogs, beef heart, whatever.

Another option would be to find a toy that he loves. Build up his love for the toy by just playing for a few minutes every day and stopping and putting the toy away long before he is bored with it. I have a Chase-It (like a buggy whip with a little stuffed animal on the end) and it is so FUN to work on training with. Maybe you wouldn't want to walk down the street with it, but you could transition from playing with it to just tugging with the toy that was on the end.

Dog classes are a great place to be able to practice being controlled around other dogs, they helped us a great amount. Dax still occasionally gets too excited (for example when completely out of control dogs on flexis walk by barking at us!) and may start pulling towards another dog, but now I can say 'sit' once and his butt is on the ground, even though he *is* super excited.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by spidermilk

I would get him hungry and then try some amazing treats- cheese, chicken (my dog AND cat will do anything for chicken), hot dogs, beef heart, whatever.

I agree with spidermilk cause I've almost always found when people say 'my dog doesn't like treats' it's usually cause the dog is NOT hungry and/or the people aren't using 'real' treats.

Just cause it's in the treat aisle of the dogfood aisle doesn't mean it's a treat for MY dogs! Meatballs, chicken, hotdogs, liverwurst, SHARP stinky cheeses... those are treats for my girls.