Is it good to phase treats out in place of praise?
I have been teaching my doggy tricks and basic manners, although initially I train him with treats, I try to phase them out as I repeat the action. I then give him claps and massive high pitched praise and scratchies.
The caretaker yesterday greeted Bruno but I could see he was trying to wind him up.
Most people will just greet and stroke him but he was moving his hands around in quick movements which obviously to Bruno means play because he'd prefer just a scratch under the chin.
Anyways he then started trying to give him commands like down which was rather irritating to me. So I pulled him away. He then said to me "now he's stopped you should give him a treat." so I said "I've phased that out for praise instead thanks he's very clever and will sometimes do the action to get the treat then return to what he was doing, this method is working".
Just as a FYI throughout our walks in guiding him with words of praise "nice walking Bruno, well done! Good boy" but if he wanders and wants to go into a shop or attempts to approach a person I say "no" or hold the leash tighter he seems to feel the difference in my tension.
The caretaker yesterday greeted Bruno but I could see he was trying to wind him up.
Most people will just greet and stroke him but he was moving his hands around in quick movements which obviously to Bruno means play because he'd prefer just a scratch under the chin.
Anyways he then started trying to give him commands like down which was rather irritating to me. So I pulled him away. He then said to me "now he's stopped you should give him a treat." so I said "I've phased that out for praise instead thanks he's very clever and will sometimes do the action to get the treat then return to what he was doing, this method is working".
Just as a FYI throughout our walks in guiding him with words of praise "nice walking Bruno, well done! Good boy" but if he wanders and wants to go into a shop or attempts to approach a person I say "no" or hold the leash tighter he seems to feel the difference in my tension.
31-35, F
