Many people, trainers included, use tit-bits as a reward during training, but if you were asked to teach your dog a new exercise without using tit-bits, would you know how?
Now don’t get me wrong, tit-bits can be a great way to teach new exercises and reward your dog, but please do not disregard other methods, such as voice praise, physical touch and play, which can be just as effective if not more so. As a trainer I recognise how important it is to be versatile, as every dog and owner are different. It is important to me to have many methods of training so that I can help with even the most challenging of dogs.
Think back to why you got a dog. Was it as a companion, an extension of the family? Now think about why your dog should obey you. Is it because he enjoys spending time with you and wants to please you? Or is it because he gets a nice tasty treat if he does? Which one would you prefer it to be?
Lets put this in perspective. Have you ever asked your dog to lay down on command, and all he has done is look blankly at you? Then you have gone to the cupboard and got a treat out and repeated the command only to achieve the desired result this time. If this is the case, then maybe you have to ask yourself, who is training who?
Does your dog like to play? If so then maybe you could use this as your reward. This way you are actually interacting and having fun with each other and strengthening the bond between you and your dog.
Also voice praise, people do not often realise how important this is. Your voice can be used to praise your dog when he is doing something well, away from you, unlike a tit-bit which can only be given to your dog if he is near by. Also in terms of timing, your voice can be used whilst your dog is responding the right way. With tit-bits, you can often find yourself fumbling around in your pockets, and by the time you have got the treat out, the good behaviour has ceased. When using tit-bits people often drop them on the floor, again rewarding at the wrong time. And have you ever come home to find your pockets filled with tit-bit dust? With verbal and play based rewards, this is not the case. If you do choose to use play based training, it is important that you learn to play with your dog correctly and in a controlled manner.
As I said earlier, I am not saying you shouldn’t use tit-bits, I am merely saying that there are other options out there.
And remember:
A dog that will play with you is a dog that will work for you.