How to Train A Dog Effectively Without Treats?

Training your beloved fur buddy is a task that is made easier with the help of treats. However, if your pup expects a treat every time you want them to behave, it can become a problem. It leads to obesity and disobedience when they get provided with a reward too often. Also, it can become challenging to bond with your pooch in a meaningful way if they are dependent on food treats for every command. It is not uncommon to make your puppy behave without handing out a treat. Thus, many pet parents look for alternative solutions for training their dogs. There are a variety of methods employed by professional dog obedience trainers to make your furry friends well-behaved. Let us help you understand a few of these training techniques that do not need treats.

Use Physical Contact

When you decide to avoid using food as a reward system for your puppy, you need to build your patience level for the training. It will take time for them to differentiate between good and bad behaviour and listen to your commands. However, positive reinforcement is the key to making them realise the difference. While asking them to sit or stay, you need to use verbal and hand gestures to know what you want them to do. They can understand signals better than words, so use them consistently with the same commands. Use a clicker when they obey to let them know that they have done the right thing. Reward them with snuggles and pats whenever they listen to you, which make them happy. You can even give them a belly rub or tickle them to show your appreciation and love.

Reward through Play

If you wish to replace treats with some other reward, you can use a short playtime. Playing is a fun and stress-busting activity for the pet parent and the pup that helps build a more robust bond. It could be as small as tug and pull or giving them a toy. You can create your games that they enjoy as positive reinforcement. Dogs love to play and using it as a reward can work wonders during the training period. However, they should be weaned off slowly or it can become a habit and may cause trouble when you are outside or in a crowded space.

Utilise Life Rewards

When your dog behaves in a positive manner and you want to show them your appreciation, you can let them enjoy some fun time. It is usually some activity that they enjoy, such as going out for a walk, playing with kids, or meeting a furry friend for a play date. These activities can be used for easy to learn commands, such as sit and stay. For example, if your pup sits on your command, you can allow them to run in the backyard if it is their favourite thing to do. The idea is to make them realise that they have responded correctly and are getting rewarded for their good behaviour. However, it should be done sporadically so that it doesn’t become a habit.

Appreciate With Loving Words

If you do not plan to use treats to inculcate good behaviour, you can rely on soothing and calming words that make them relaxed and happy. When you appreciate them in a happy tone, they will recognise your pleasure. It will give them the confidence of feeling good about what they did, and they will repeat the same behaviour to get your warmth. So, when your pup listens to a simple command and you want to reward him, you can say ‘amazing job mate’, ‘good puppy’, or ‘you did it’. These words should be said in an enthusiastic tone to make them realise the importance of their conduct.

Behavioural Adjustment Training

Behavioural Adjustment Training (BAT) is another treat-free training approach that professional trainers use. It does not involve giving any command but allows the pups to understand the situation and take control of it. This training aims to empower them and make them more confident in circumstances where they become fearful and anxious, such as meeting strangers, kids, or other pets. It aims to desensitise dogs towards conditions that usually evoke stress and anxiety. For example, if your dog feels intimated by other dogs, you need to expose them to pets from a distance to lower the level of arousal. Now, you wait until they become relaxed and look away on their own. When the pup starts to move in the other direction, you will know that they have conquered their fear and are now comfortable. So, the dog will display an alternative behaviour when he knows that he can control the environment without any help from you. However, this method takes time, and you need to learn leash control skills. Make sure you consult a professional dog obedience trainer for this type of training.

Endnote

If you are training your dog and do not want to use treats every time, use the tips mentioned above to get the job done. It may take more time, but it will work. So, stay focused and make your pup shine.