-
Diversify Rewards – Video and Brainstorm!
It’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of using the same old rewards – often, food – when training. Here’s a clip from a conversation @david and I had, where we talk about breaking out of this pattern, by diversifying rewards.
Do you have a variety of rewards available to use with your dog, during training?
David gives great tips on how to begin moving your dog to the next level in using real life rewards (such as access to outside) and fun play, rather than food.
Watch the video, then post a comment below with a few types of rewards that capitalize on a dog’s non-food motivations.
We’re looking for ideas, here – so, jump in and brainstorm with us.
What are some non-food rewards you have used or would like to try to use with a dog?
3:58
-
5 Replies
-
So, hopefully I’m replying in the correct place/manner, pretty sure that I am! 🙂 This was a really fascinating video and super interesting question that got me thinking. With a dog like mine (lab), I think it’s really easy to get stuck on using only food because they love it SO MUCH. However, my dog does like toys and games too. Although, it’s only fair to say that I’ve had to instill this desire/motivation for toys and games in him. He didn’t come pre-programmed to like them. 🙂
Recently, here’s some non-food motivators I’ve come up with:
#1 A few weeks ago, I was outside using the hose and Tuff came running over to me and started to jump and bite at the water stream. I took a break from using the hose and asked him to sit. He sat still for a few seconds, then I said “yes!” and let him bite the stream/chase after it. I thought it was a long shot but it worked! After a few times of this, he know runs over and sits (or stands there and calmly waits) to get sprayed with the hose. LOL.
Thats my most creative use of intrinsic motivation for a reward and I have to say I’m pretty proud of myself. Other than that, I use the game of tug and the act of fetch/chase as a reward for sitting still. Flirt poles are also fun to use! Sorry for the long response! I get a “little into it!”
????????????????
-
Great post, @ZaneB Please don’t ever apologize for your contributions! This is fantastic insight and a great use of a novel motivator: water spray! It’s fascinating and fun. You took a moment to really see Tug and what was super important to him (playing in the water) and you were able to smoothly use it as reinforcement for a cued behavior. BRILLIANT. Keep up the great work and please keep sharing!
-
I think you’ve made a great observation here @ZaneB ! It really is easy to fall back on using food rewards so frequently because of the inherent value food has for most dogs. When training, I always tried to think of ways to diversify ways I can use reinforcers. I love the usage of the hose in the story you told! I think water can be a great motivator for dogs, especially in warmer weather. Have you tried using life rewards in training scenarios? I’d love to know what kinds of motivators have you found particularly useful!
-
-
Hi Catherine
I “play” train with
A squeeky tennis ball
A stuffed kong with a little bit of food after a traing session
A walk
A game of hide and seek..the dog “waits” I call. she finds me, she’s rewarded.
-
These are fun ideas, @Achtung Barbara, thanks for sharing! I really like the game idea as a reinforcer/motivator. It makes me think of other games we can play which are also exciting for dogs… I wonder what games everyone is playing with their dogs… and how can we connect those to behavior we like?
-
Log in to reply.