PHD Blog 51 - Dawg on Treats
Dawg Unleashed # 8
Dawg on cookies & tugs
Dawg again: Today I get to talk about one of my favorite subjects - Food! Now I love tugs and flirt poles but treats have a special place in my stomach heart, especially meat. I am not particular! Just give me some meat, any meat, and I am satisfied and happy.
Dawg on cookies!
Tis the season to eat drink and be merry! Nothing like eating cookies and playing with tugs to make me very merry. Of course, I have to maintain my boyish figure but I run around enough that it is not a problem, at least not a major one.
I wanted to give my well-founded and not-to-be-questioned opinion on using reinforcers for herding training. Now everyone knows that the absolute BEST reinforcer is working stock. Even just looking at or smelling stock is sublime! But yeah I know, first things first, engagement and herding skills in place away from livestock before the real fun can begin.
Many of your BFF have asked if this or that can be used as a reinforcer. I am here to tell you that whatever you want to use, give it a try and see what your dog thinks. I have seen dogs go bonkers over:
- Food
- Tugs
- FP rats
- Balls
- Frisbees
- Praise
- Petting
- Smiles & laughter
- Permissions (Think gatekeeper)
our mission, should you decide to accept it, is to know what makes your dog think work is play. Once you know what those things are, then you just have to figure out how to set up your training play session to achieve what you want your dog to learn and do. Easy peasy! Think out of the crate.
In Barb’s next blog she is going to demo, with that camera hog Sir, some cone work with food. Great food! She should be doing that video with me but Sir is always butting in and stealing my limelight. He needs to get a life as an agility or nosework dog so I can be the main herding man dog.
No matter what puts your dog over the moon, remember that there is a way to use that to make awesome progress with herding and engagement. Now go put on your thinking cap and brainstorm a plan to make this happen.
Remember, your dog is depending on you.
As usual, I implore you to buy Barb's book and keep her (and me :) happy.
Until next time, tell your mates about this blog and...
Grow the pack!
Come bye to learn more about herding!
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