Every morning, I spend a few minutes doing basic obedience training with my dog using low-value treats before feeding her breakfast. She used to be excited and responsive because she was hungry and ready to eat.
For a few days, I switched to high-value treats, and she was super responsive and excited. But then I decided to save the high-value treats for more difficult situations like leash reactivity and recall.
Now, during our morning training sessions with low-value treats, she ignores me. She’ll look off into space for a minute before responding to commands, and when she does, it’s very slow and reluctant. This morning, she outright refused to lay down.
I walked away and haven’t fed her yet. How do you handle a dog that knows the commands well but either responds very slowly or ignores you because she’s disappointed with the treats?
Consider trying a surprise treat bag in its place. Obtain a waist treat pouch and stuff it with a variety of goodies, including high-value, medium-value, and kibble. She won’t know what she’s getting until she complies with your request because they are in the bag rather than visible to her when they are in your hands or on the table. Additionally, when rewarding, be sure to vary it up by switching up the treats and occasionally adding a high-value one at random. That ought to decrease her discerning listening.
I have been doing this from the start. She doesn’t know what’s coming, so it keeps her concentration even though I can tell by feeling what I’m grasping. Is that liver of lamb? Kibble? Lunge of beef? Sweet potatoes? Who knows?
Better to keep their interest with a varied packet than if they know exactly what they’re getting. They will listen and attach value based on how much they appreciate the treats.