[NAGDU] Use of treats during training

[Dan Weiner]

Hello, beautiful people.
Dan W.  from Florida withies Royal Majesty, Parker Dog here.
Well I'm wondering about something, for example, is there life on other
planets, and is there life before coffee--smile.
Well, all right, seriously...I've heard a lot of comments and talk about the
fact that many of the guide dog programs are using a significant amount of
food rewards during training.
I don't mean the occasional treat that I've always used, say to reward for
finding something or whatever, but say, treats every time a dog finds an up
curb or down curb, carrying around a treat bag and so on.
I'm wondering what peoples' experiences have been.
I've heard that a majority of US programs are doing this now...and as I said
it seems to be a lot, not just the occasional reward.
So what happens if you can't give the dog a treat every time, will the dogs
get used to having treats phased out? And what about a dog who might already
be food distracted, couldn't that lead to scavenging, or generally, well
silliness--smile.

It does concern me.

As I've said I have always incorporated treats in my method but occasionally
as a special reward, and it would seem to me that a dog would need to be
able to work for praise and just for the love of working...tell me what
everyone thinks and what's going on.


I hope everyone's doing great.

Dan the man and his four-legged side-kick

dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net