Topic: Using Food and Toys as a Motivator

Whenever we talk about using food and toys to train a dog, we inevitably hear such comments as "I want my dog to obey me and not some treat" or "I know of a dog who ONLY sits IF you have a treat!". Some people will instantly mock any training technique simply because it may advocate using something other than brute force.

In keeping with my tenet that we should do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING possible to attain a given training goal (especially at the very early stages), I proudly proclaim that, yes, I often use treats when encouraging a behavior or response to a command. Sometimes I even use toys and tennis balls.

Back in my early training days, back in the Air Force 'Green Dog' days, we took advantage of our youthful energy, strength, and endurance to overcome any rough spots in our training. We practiced fair but fairly forceful and aggressive training techniques. Even in this rough and ready military atmosphere, there were many instances where we had to use treats and toys as motivators and rewards. Our Drug Detector Dogs and Explosive Detector Dogs all were trained to search and find a chosen object, not out of love of country nor respect for the handler - but only because there was a treat or toy attached. Even the Patrol Dogs would seek out a person hiding in a building or field not because they were simply told to but because they could 'play' with (read BITE) the person found.

Later on, while training law enforcement Police Work Dogs, I was involved in training and working with Drug Dogs, Bomb Dogs, Arson Dogs, Cadaver Dogs, Tracking Dogs, Search & Rescue Dogs, as well as Patrol Dogs who would search buildings, fields and woods for 'bad guys' and locate any evidence they left behind. All these functions !! - and ALL of them motivated by a treat or a toy. The Drug Dogs found the narcotic because a rolled piece of canvas magically appeared when they did. The Bombers found the explosive device because a treat would be given from it. The Arson dog - a tennis ball; the Cadaver Dog - likewise a ball; the Tracking Dogs worked for hotdogs; the S A R Dog - a ball; and the evidence searchers worked for the possibility of playing with what they found.

If treats and toys are good enough for our Armed Forces and Police to use - if the 'defenders' of our nation and way of life don't mind using treats and toys; if highly motivated, trained and experienced Military and Police Dog handlers and trainers can use a treat to get a dog to perform a certain function then an ordinary private citizen pet owners can, no - SHOULD, use treats and toys when and if necessary.

So, go ahead and make your puppy SIT for a treat. Do it with the full understanding that you are following in the legacies of some of the finest and ablest dog trainers and handlers the world will ever know.