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By Lisa Mullinax

A crucial part of positive dog training is finding something that the dog is motivated to work for. In traditional obedience, the dog was forced inot position (see illustration) and would learn to work to avoid the discomfort or pain of "corrections".

Today, modern training methods are built on the premise that food is naturally motivating and most dogs will happily work in exchange for a tasty treat. Food is easy, portable and convenient.  When I was training my dog, Parker, I took him into a variety of businesses.  While I incorporated many types of rewards into his training, I couldn't throw a tennis ball inside the bank.  Food treats fit easily in my pocket and were rewarding enough to encourage him to repeat his good behavior next time.

A common myth is that once you train a dog with treats, you must always have them to get your dog to obey.  The same could be said of choke chains, prong collars and electronic (shock) collars.  If the training isn't done correctly from the beginning, the dog's obedience can become dependent on whatever tool is used.  Since a reward follows the dog performing the desired command, the dog doesn't have to see the reward before complying.  A good trainer knows the difference and teaches dog owners how to gain independence from training tools.

MY DOG ISN'T FOOD MOTIVATED

Any dog that is truly not food-motivated is, frankly, not breathing. Your dog must eat to survive and is, therefore, naturally motivated by food. Your dog may, however, have a very low-level of motivation. When trainers are presented with such a dog, it is usually caused by several factors, either alone or combined.

Free Feeding
The most common cause is that the dog is given free access to food throughout the day. Even if their owner fills the bowl two times a day, the dog takes hours to clean the bowl. The food is always available and so the dog decides when they want to eat. For these dogs, limiting each feeding session to no more than 20 minutes not only encourages your dog to clean their bowl (which will help you spot health problems later on), but also puts you in ultimate charge of that resource.

Some dogs receive a steady stream of treats throughout the day for simple behaviors that they have been performing for years or simply for following the owner into the kitchen. With many of these dogs, the owner is forced to find new and unique treats because the previous treats were overused and have become as commonplace as dry kibble to the dog. While it's nice to give the dog a snack now and then, there's no reason to give it away for free!

Stress
The third reason a dog might not be food-motivated is stress. When a dog reaches a certain level of stress, fear or anxiety, they stop accepting food. If a dog is normally motivated by treats at home but refuses them outside of the house, then he is probably too anxious and is in the wrong working environment.  If this is the case, you should consult with a qualified trainer or behavior consultant to determine the cause, so that you can learn how to decrease your dog's stress and safely work him towards more challenging situations.  Stress is the primary cause of aggression in dogs and can lead to compromised immune systems and illness.

Note:  A sudden change in appetite in a familiar environment could be an early sign of illness. Consult with your veterinarian to rule out illness if your dog suddenly refuses meals at home.

FINDING OTHER MOTIVATORS: Life Rewards

Treats are an easy, fun and convenient way to teach your dog a new behavior. But finding alternate motivators for your dog is one of the keys to getting your dog to work for rewards other than treats. Start a list of non-food items your dog likes.  Your list might look like this:

1. Tennis Ball
2. Frisbee
3. Walks
4. Ear Rubs
5. Car Rides

As you think of other things your dog really likes, add them to the list.  You might be surprised how quickly you can come up with 10-15 items that your dog finds rewarding.  Now you have a list of other rewards you would otherwise give away for free, but for which your dog can offer good behavior in exchange.  These are called "Life Rewards." The more of these rewards you give away for free, the more limited you are in your options to treats.

Most dogs learn "Sit" very quickly.  Your dog can sit before each of the above rewards.  Sit before the tennis ball is thrown, sit before you attach a leash or open the door for a walk, sit before you open the car door.  As your dog's training vocabulary increases, you can ask her to perform different commands before releasing any of these rewards.

If your dog has a favorite toy or game, save it only for training sessions, making it more rewarding to your dog. If your dog basks in your praise and attention, don't give it away for free and certainly never on demand. Whatever motivates your dog, maintaining control of those resources is going to keep him focused on you with or without treats.