4.) Food
Rewards -
With Positive
Reinforcement
Training we use
a LOT of food
rewards in
class. Keep in
mind that our
Dogs Hear more,
Smell a LOT
more, See
differently and
more than we do
and all of this
information is
literally
pouring into
their brains and
is processed
second by
second. We need
to offer
something more
important than
those sights,
sounds and
smells. Thus the
Importance of
Food Rewards or
Reinforcements.
Most Important:
Bring More High
Value treats to
class that you
think you will
need…you will
run out if you
don't.
Here are some
recipes we
suggest rather
than buying
treats which are
too expensive
and often of no
nutritional
value and in
some cases not
even safe:
-
Baked
Chicken
Livers- 350
degrees for
approximately
45 min. Cut
up into
small bite
sizes based
on your Dogs
size
-
Baked Calves
Liver-
prepare same
as chicken
liver
-
Hot Dogs -
cut up in
pieces based
on your Dogs
Size
-
Chicken,
Turkey,
Baloney etc
lunch meats
-
Steak bits,
Ham,
Chicken,
from your
table
-
OR get fancy
and make
these-
package of
Lean
Hamburger,
Cheddar
Cheese,
Splash of
milk, Frozen
Green Beans,
Tablespoon
Salmon Oil
- Mix all
together,
roll into
balls bake
for 30 min @
350 in
muffin tins.
Freeze and
use as
needed.
To avoid
digestive upsets
its a good idea
to give your dog
a few of these
treats in the
days before
class.
At Home in
familiar
circumstances
use moderate
value treats
sometimes adding
high value ones
in the mix but
generally
keeping the
special rewards
or reinforcers
for class where
the distraction
level is high.
