Petsafe Treat Pouch - Manuel (Page 3)

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Why Use Food as a Training Reward?
Dogs come from a long line of predators. Predators have to hunt for their food.
This takes a lot of thought in comparison to grazers. Modern dogs have retained
some of this genetic programming. They are naturally alert and ready for problem
solving when food is the reward. This is conducive to training.
Food as a Lure
Food in training can be used in more than one way. As a lure, food can cause a
behaviour to happen. A piece of food can be used to control the dog’s head, like
a magnet. Where the food goes, the head goes. Luring is one of several ways to get
a behaviour to happen so that we can reward that behaviour with food.
Food as a Reward
As a reward, behaviour comes first, and that behaviour causes the reward to be
given. The food remains in your pouch UNTIL the behaviour happens.
Lures and Rewards
Lures and rewards are both good, but they are very different. Both lures and
rewards can be faded — little by little — until finally the dog learns to play the
lottery. There’s always a hope that THIS time is the payoff.