How to train a very highly food-motivated dog?

General Forum
1

At 16 months old, my dog has not yet received extensive training. Treats, however, greatly motivate him. The issue arises from the fact that when I begin rewarding him with goodies during training, he becomes fixated on my hand and expects more, making training sessions nearly difficult.

Are there any suggestions you might make to control this behavior so that the dog learns while having fun?

2

When training a highly food-motivated dog, it’s important to manage how you handle treats. Avoid keeping extra treats in your hand; instead, use a pouch or your pocket. Keep your treating hand behind your back or up to your chest to avoid distracting the dog. Consider introducing a clicker. Click when your dog performs the desired behavior, and then reach for the treat. Over time, gradually delay the interval between the click and giving the treat. This approach will help maintain the dog’s focus and reinforce positive behavior effectively.

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3

I can relate to the issues my dog has. Before we start training, I like to spend a few minutes playing fetch. I’ve also started using a clicker during our sessions, and one of the things we work on frequently is the “leave it” command.

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4

You can manage his excitement by doing the following::

  • Special treats for perfect tricks: Use yummy treats only for amazing performances. Regular kibble works for everyday training.
  • Hide & seek treats: Hide the treat in your hand after a command. It makes him “hunt” for his reward, keeping him engaged.
  • Short & sweet sessions: Keep training sessions short (5–10 minutes) to avoid frustration. End on a high note!
  • Praise & play: Don’t forget “good boy” and playtime! They’re powerful rewards, too.

Be consistent and you’ll have a well-trained pup in no time!

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