Re: Bad relationship

[Dree]

[quote author=SuzAndTheDiva link=topic=12456.msg240902#msg240902 date=1221598726]
I have one problem relying on something so highly for walks and to get certain behaviours………what if your suddenly out find yourself in a ‘situation’ and dont have the reward – what then? Thats a problem for me – personally for me I want my dog to do something because I myself am the reward – my praise – because it thats a good enough reward its something i ALWAYS have with me………..am sure Bev has other reasons why relying on something like that all the time isnt good – but for me thats the big reason. That and i own a dog who doesnt have anything she likes enough to use as such a reward………
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If you are training for a certain behaviour, you have to have a reward in place.  It’s that simple.  And if you are training a dog against certain situations that you cannot control, you make pretty damn sure that you don’t find yourself in a “situation”.  But….if you do, you *must* have the reward in place.  It’s all very well saying I want my dog to do this and that because it loves me.  Wouldn’t we all?!  But it’s not that simple.  Different dogs require different rewards.  When Nell was young, I never, ever went out where I would meet dogs.  When I had the down in place, I could go out where there were dogs…..and I had a reward with me for her.  If I go out to someone with a problem dog, should I tell them that all their dog needs is a pat on the head?  I wish!!!  ;D If you have a dog that requires a ball as a reward, you always carry a ball….if it needs garlic sausage, that’s what you carry.  We are talking about training a dog here.  Once the sought behaviour is in place, then the reward can be scaled down as and when.  For example, Nell needed certain rewards so that she wouldn’t take off and fly at dogs or humans whenever she felt the need.  I don’t carry them now.  Lana needed certain rewards for a decent recall….I don’t carry them now.  BUT….I nearly always have treats in my pocket.  My dogs may love me, but I’m pretty sure they love treats just as much.  😉

As far as a reward for your dog is concerned.  I would be surprised if you didn’t find something that she likes.  It can be something really strange.  For example, one person I know couldn’t get her dog to do h/w with any conviction.  All he wanted to do was go and pee on the nearest post….or whatever.  Chuckits – not interested….food – nah….tuggy….nope.  So….we decided to do a couple of steps of h/w, click, and let him go sniff and lift his leg.  That dog is now working ‘C’ and is a cracker.  :laugh: