How to Reward Your Dog-- Treat Your Dog Well Without the Treats
By Tiffany Margolin, DVM
From The Heart Veterinary
(818)324-2484/ Vetsitting.com
As a dog owner since I was barely past my crawling stage, and through till now, after twenty years as a veterinarian, I have never believed in giving dogs “treats.” It’s akin to giving your own kidlets a sweet every time they look at you with those beseeching “Bambi” eyes, or even worse, have a little tantrum at the market (and why would you reward a tantrum with a treat?). In addition, most of the treats people ask me about are the high carbohydrate, processed pet store type. The best of the worst will still put weight on your pet and train them to beg.
“But how do I train my dog to sit?” You ask.
By rewarding with LOVE, PLAY, and ATTENTION, not food. Just as in humans, obesity is the natural outcome of food rewards.
Francine came in with her pug, Louie. He was 5 pounds overweight (30% of his body weight!!!) and having trouble breathing. We talked about diet, activity and the like. Francine was very careful with her feeding, painstakingly measuring the dog food every day. She obediently followed doctor’s orders when it came to the dog food. Unfortunately, her husband wasn’t quite so obedient, and found a reason to toss Louie a treat every time he sat, put out a paw, or responded to a command.
I gave them a family counseling session, and told him to use petting or a few minutes of play to reward Louie. We also let the hungry Louie have a bowl of plain steamed green beans as a “snack.” Of course the family explained that Louie would never eat the green beans.
But they were really great about following my direction, and lo and behold, not only did Louie grow to love the green beans, he actually lost several pounds and felt like a pup again!
When I was training my little mutt, Spirit, to sit, stay and shake my paw, I always rubbed her ears and said, “good girl” when she responded. She loves to be loved now, and is very well trained. As you give the basic commands, keep a ball, favorite soft toy, or a loving pat handy to offer your pet when they “do good.”
All this is not to say the occasional healthy treat isn’t just fine for your pooch. It merely illustrates that you may use food as an occasional reward, and lean on love or play to supply most of the training rewards. You and your pet will stay happier and healthier longer!
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