Expectation can be created if the treats are not phased out and the cue put on a maintenance schedule, but then again you want a dog that is keen to work for you; with some dogs it's not food, it's play. The general consensus from all the training books I have read is that it is a rare dog that will consistently work with enthusiasm for praise alone. I generally just use praise and some treats on routine cues, but for training new cues or perfecting I treat. I want my dog to know that there is a good 'pay day' for working well - who works for nothing? I certainly never did. In the short term a dog can expect a reward for complying with a cue, but its up to you, as the trainer, to decide whether the offered behaviour is as good as you want it to be, if not you don't treat, or you may ask for a series of the behaviours before you reward.
I agree, I have worked for nothing for 7 years but when I did get paid I felt really good I train the same way as Rosemary as I want to let my dogs know they have done a good job, but they might not get paid so well if the job isn't that good, the next time they do a great job they get a really yummy treat
Thank you! I've tried the leash just to do a little walk about in the yard but Beau loves to chew his leash! I understand that we can not take our puppies off lead until they are fully vaccinated, right?
A lot of puppies will chew the lead to start with so just try to distract Beau by using a treat (kibble from daily food allowance is fine to start with). You can lure with food at first if you need to. It is recommended that you don't put a puppy on the ground outside of your own garden until a week after they are fully vaccinated, wether on or off leash.
