We often discuss on the forum the importance of understanding what motivates your dog; how it's the dog in front of you that gets to make the choice. This lovely little video from the GlasgowDogTrainer popped up my FB feed this morning and it was just too good not to share. The cue is the same throughout the video, given in the same tone of voice. The only difference is between a food reward a short game of tug. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1763134267051838 Just love the difference in response - wouldn't you want your dog responding like that all the time.
This is a great video - I could have done it with Shadow yesterday. I'm working on leg weaves with him at the moment. Rewarding with food is just fine, but if he gets to chase a pine cone, he responds at a million miles an hour
I use "feeding time" as the best time for training my labs. They are highly motivated and feeding twice a day, that's 60 short training sessions per month. They earn their meals, either with obedience, agility, or skijoring concepts. As an example, my 1-year old has just started skijoring, and was uncertain about pulling since she has been conditioned to heel by my side while skiing as a pup. So I harnessed her and taught her "line out" to pull me to her food bowl. After a couple of feeding sessions, she has become an awesome puller.
