How to reward your dog properly

Is there anything more beautiful for the master and dog? The command "sit" fits perfectly. The best friend waits patiently in the trunk until he is allowed to leave the car. And the four-legged friend also reacts immediately to the callback. Lord couldn't be prouder if his dog obeyed the word. And the animal also has fun with it. Especially well-educated animals are particularly happy. But that doesn't come by itself.

The adventure of education lasts a dog's life. With the right reward, it is not so difficult to train the four-legged friend the right behavior – fun included. But here, too, mistakes and misbehavior lurk.

Why reward is so important

Teaching his best friend to behave is not always easy. Anyone who faces the task of dog education must be able to understand and motivate his four-legged friend. The dog brain works simply: If the animal sees advantages, it behaves accordingly. This is where the reward comes in. If Master strengthens the behavior of his dog, he is motivated to repeat it. If a treat, a petting unit or the much-loved toy follows the correct execution of a command, the four-legged friend remembers this. If he receives the signal again, the dog knows that the correct execution is followed by something pleasant. Reward works especially when:

• it is important to the dog,
• he has to work out the reward,
• be rewarded for special achievements,
• it comes at the right moment
• and is used only sporadically when you have learned it.

With rewards and thanks, education gives both animals and master joy. At the same time, the bond between humans and dogs is also strengthened and more intimate.

 

The right timing

The right time is the right time for an effective reward. The friend on four paws does not have a long memory by nature. Therefore, it is important that the reward comes immediately after the right behavior. Experts advise that it must be done within a second. This means that as soon as the dog has arrived at the master on command, the award must be made. However, if the keeper still has a seat command, the four-legged friend believes he will be rewarded for sitting down.

 

The treat without getting fat

The treat is particularly popular, widespread and also effective for the right behavior. Especially when training and learning new commands, the dog snack often plays an important role. Some masters choose sausage pieces or cheese bits here. But be careful: with the wrong snack, you run the risk of making your dog fat. Also, not every four-legged friend loves these treats. It goes without saying that the award must be tasty. Better suited are snacks for reward, which are healthy, do not contain much fat and have further benefits for the dog. Dental care snacks also clean the teeth of your best friend. A balanced treat blend provides additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Also, the variety does not cause boredom with the four-legged companion.

 

From word to petting unit, various rewards

But in addition to the treat, other methods and possibilities can reward your adventurer for obeying. These include, but are not more than one:

• Toys
• Petting unit
• verbal praise
• acoustic marker

In some cases, the four-legged friend reigns happily when Herrchen gives him a "fine" and at the same time lovingly pats over his head. Dogs are individuals. While one four-legged friend prefers the treat, the other dog loves a game for not being chased after the tempting hare. It is important in the quick recognition that this also satisfies a need for the animal. As a dog owner, you have to weigh up the right balance and know your best friend and his needs very well to find the right reward. Does the adventurer like to buddle in the earth? Then he is allowed to do so if he has waited well. Does the four-legged friend love sniff? After "Foot" he will be all the more pleased about this release. Has the dog stopped and has not burned through to other dogs? A permitted greeting afterward reinforces this behavior. The reward is particularly effective when combined. For the treats, a "fine" can act as a marker. Even a loving caress over the head can make the snack tastier.

 

Reward with the clicker

Some dog owners also prefer the use of a clicker. This training method from the USA uses a metal gadget that makes a distinctive noise at pressure: Click-clack. Used at the right moment, this sound can show the four-legged companion: I'm doing something right. As alternatives, whistles or buckles with the tongue are also used here. The owner must first teach his dog the sound as something positive. In the so-called conditioning, the clicker is operated together with a premium. The four-legged friend quickly combines the Click-clack with the result: Now comes something pleasant. If you combine the clicker with the reward, you can also easily teach your best friend tricks and crazy tricks – fun, and adventure for dog and owner included.

 

Caution Trap: These mistakes should be avoided

Especially untrained dog owners often make mistakes when rewarding without realizing it. These include, but are not more than one:

• the wrong posture
• incorrect voice
• too early reward
• monotonous reward

Did you know that dogs are also very sensitive to body language? A "fine" and loving caress can seem just as unpleasant with the wrong posture at her best friend. Some dogs react sensitively to a forward bent posture and feel threatened. Therefore, the body center of gravity should be shifted backward. Taking a step back also offers the four-legged friend more space. Lateral squatting also works for many animals. Other dogs are frightened, the treat is thrown at him. Even a frantic and loud voice often seems threatening and unpleasant. Therefore, also pay attention to your vocal position. It is important here to know his four-legged companion exactly because the recognition must be fun for him if it is to be effective.

Timing and speed are important when rewarding. But giving the snack too early can also be wrong. If the little friend has just touched the ground with his butt after the command "seat", he will quickly jump up again with joy, slides your hand already into the food bag. If the dog then gets the treat, he thinks he will be rewarded for jumping up. In this case, the verbal praise "fine" can form a marker: the animal knows that it has obeyed the sitting position. The snack afterward reinforces this behavior.

 

Variety is important

The same thing always gets boring at some point. Who always likes vanilla pudding for dessert? If your best friend has just eaten, a snack as a premium isn't particularly tempting. However, an adventure is much more appealing. Thus, the common game can provide better services here than the treat. Therefore, also pay attention to the balance in the different rewards. Always the same snack is just as demotivating in the long run. Those who pay attention to these tips, tricks, and mistakes will have a lot of fun with their four-legged friend and his reward.