Positive Reinforcement: Dog Training and The Power of Treats

Communication is key to success in any relationship, including that unique friendship we share with our dogs. Dog training is a powerful tool to communicate and reinforce a harmonious relationship with our four-legged friends. Among the variety of dog training techniques, positive reinforcement places as the pet-owners’ favorite approach, here is why:

Positive Reinforcement Training

As pet owners, we want the best for our dogs, including training. Our canine friends should be able to achieve behavioral improvement, without creating a stressful learning process. 

Positive reinforcement is a training technique that uses treats as a motivational token. The offering of delicious treats in exchange for obedience becomes a game for your pooch.

Positive reinforcement offers more than obedience as results. This particular training aims to build-up trust between you and your dog, making the learning process a deep bonding experience for both of you. 

The Power of Treats 

The power of treats relies on the scientific background of our dogs’ nature. Before dogs were domesticated, one of their main driving factors toward survival was food. Dogs are inherently driven by food motivation. Like other mammals, dogs have a “pleasure center” in their brains. This pleasure center is stimulated by dopamine, the chemical that regulates feelings of pleasure and happiness in our bodies. When dopamine is released in the pleasure center the dog experiences a feeling of happiness or satisfaction. In dogs, the release of dopamine is triggered by the presence of food. Therefore, positive-reinforcement training with treats can be very effective because of this profound relationship between dogs, food, and dopamine. 

How to Succeed in Positive Reinforcement Training 

To succeed with treat-training it’s necessary to recognize that every dog has its quirks and preferences. Here are some tips to take into consideration before getting started with the training:

Training Approach

Positive reinforcement relies on dog treats as a stimulation reward. When dogs fail or have a low training response, it is not that they cannot learn, is due to the training approach we are providing. Keep in mind the word reward. To obtain a satisfactory response it is advisable to not tempt your dog with treats before completing the required task. Start with easy requests so they can have a grasp of the trick-for-treat dynamic.

Categories

Rank your pooch’s treats according to their tasty value. Identify which are the favorites according to a high, medium, and low-value. At the beginning of the training, start with low-value treats. Save the favorite dog treats for lessons that are more challenging or difficult to complete.

Treat Portions

It is tempting to give big and yummy rewards to our loving companions but it is advisable to resist spoiling them during their training. Portions of reward treats should be small. Small portions are easy and quick to chew, letting your pup continue with its training process with minimal distractions.

Quality Treats

Quality treats influence the training response and future health of your pooch. Feed them something delicious that at the same time will complement their nutrition. To assure a high-quality treat, Peppy Pooch uses natural ingredients to make low-fat and high-protein products. Healthy and delicious, the perfect mix to motivate your pet.

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With Peppy Pooch add a nutritious treat to your dog’s diet and training. You can find a deep variety of dog treats. From bacon to vegetarian treats, we have all you need. If you would like to know more about our products and quality standards, please contact us today!