Chief Cheery Officer (CCO) Kiyo’s approved training tip:
food rewards can be powerful motivators.
A dog can have different motivators to help him learn, e.g. food, play, a chance to chase something, a car ride, etc. When a dog starts learning something new, we choose the reward that motivates the dog most in that situation.
For many dogs, food is one of the strongest natural rewards. Think of it this way – when you start a new job, your strongest motivator may be the salary. As you get better at your job, your priorities may begin to shift and you could become more motivated by other factors – enjoying your colleagues’ company or appreciating the staff benefits. At the highest level, when you’re thoroughly enjoying what you do, you work for job satisfaction.
Similarly, a food reward to a food-motivated dog is like the initial salary – it pays well and sets the pace of learning. As the dog gets better at performing the desired behaviour, food rewards may become integrated with other rewards (e.g. a game of tug with you, a tummy rub, etc.). The behaviour eventually becomes second nature to your dog.
However, just as you wouldn’t appreciate not being paid a salary when performing well at work has become second nature to you, neither should you expect your dog to completely forfeit his tangible rewards. That’s when you put in place a ‘variable bonus’ reward system – better performances earn better rewards. That way, your dog continues to work willingly and cheerfully, as you and your dog hone your skills together, as a family.