Reward issues

[JeanetteApodaca]

My dog isn't motivated by food or toy any suggestions on other rewards that may help? She is a mix but I do know she is a Chihuahua with some yorkie.

[MrJorge]

Hi Jeanette.

 

This could be for a number of reasons:

 

- Your diet schedule (time you feed your dog/ how often/ etc..)

- Quantity (how much per day vs his weight)

- What do you feed him.

- Feeding technique (do you leave food out all day, etc....)

- Changes in diet. (How long have you been feeding him what you are at the moment.)

 

After all this information people will be able to give you a better constructed advise.

 

Food is definitely the best way to start training a behavior but dogs dont just see food as a reward. Any thing that gets them excited could work, specially to make the food reward less present with time. It can be starting a game (i.e: fetch) that they love after the desired behaviour, before you open the door to take them out. Before putting the leash on if you are taking them out. Before offering their meals. Before you pet them or give them their toy, etc....

 

But wait for the experts to get back to you. In the meantime I am sure the extra information will help them to provide you correct advise.

 

Thanks

Jorge

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Excellent advise there from Mr. Jorge!

I would not give up on food yet and posted some suggestions here:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/forum/showthread.php?54-Reward-issues

[JMFS]

I posted some "people foods" that are Veterinarian approved fruits, vegetables, etc . . . in the Off Topic forum. Abbi is also picky so I have to get creative with her. Meat is usually her driving force. Bacon grease will get a Veterinarian to raise their eyebrow in disapproval, But, when I tell them how I do it they generally give the approval, though they still prefer I'd find another way. I dip a spoon into the grease, let the grease drip off, then mix that tiny amount of residual grease into her food thoroughly so every piece is touched. The grease scents more than flavors each piece of food and she'll gobble them up. If I miss a piece, it gets left in the bowl because she's a stink pot. My husband will break up the bacon and throw the bits in her bowl. She'll sniff those out, pick her choice bites and leave the kibble. They're frustrating little things sometimes, aren't they?! I found she's fond of chamomile / lavender / Tulsi tea. I can make treats or add it to her food to entice her. I'll brew up 4 cups of tea and put in a tablespoon of local honey (she's allergic to Everything and local honey is said to help). I package the tea up and use it as needed. Bonus points: it helps with her anxiety, belly, breath, and skin. :D

 

You might set up a taste test. Take a splotch of peanut butter, a dab of honey, a dribble of yogurt, a spot of beef broth, etc . . . and see what she goes for. Then you can experiment with homemade treats. I like homemade because I can size them for their purpose (tiny for training, bigger for Kong stuffers).

 

On a day I know I'm going to be training I'll reserve half of the dogs' food. This ensures 1) they're hungry and more food driven 2) aren't getting extra calories

 

For Abbi I'll do a treat with gluten free flour (allergic to Everything, remember, lol), beef broth, parsley (she has old lady breath) and peanut butter. You can freeze the beef broth in an ice cube tray so you have it for more batches later. You can also test to see if she'll eat the treats raw or if she prefers them cooked. Raw has more flavor and scent and those ingredients are safe to eat "raw," it's just awkward to handle. :D You'll want to make small batches because without preservatives these last 3 days outside of the fridge and about 4-5 if refrigerated.

 

I tried peach / peanut butter / oats / chamomile tea and Abbi was all about the first one, but wouldn't take a single bite after that. Gertie liked them, especially for the Find It game, and Momo I have no idea because he only knows the meaning of "gulp." At least giving him medicine is easy. :D

 

If you do store bought I do have one other idea - you can dip them in whatever she likes before using them as a training treat. Go easy on whatever you dip it in - don't want her to lose her figure! It should be just enough to entice her.