Does anybody know how to wean dogs off of treats and into just a verbal command once the dogs understand the trick
Hi Bekah, your dog still wants to be rewarded - but reward does not mean TREAT all the time. It could be a verbal "Good Dog" a pat on the back or a game of fetch or tug. Once a trick is learnt you should fade out the hand signal until eventually the dog does the behaviour on verbal command only. Start by making the hand signal less obvious (lazy hand signals)
Treat . . .cuddle . . .treat . . . toy . . .good boy/girl . . .treat . . . good boy/girl . . .good boy/girl . . . pat him/her . . . toy playing . . . treat . . . . . .goood boy/girl . . . . . . . . big cuddle and fuss . . . . . . . . .lots of toy playing . . . . . . . . . .. . and a big good boy/girl . . . . . . . .. .maybe now and then a treat . . . . . . . . . and so on,be unpredictable xxxx
I have started weaning Coco off of treats when he sits now, he gets a treat every now and again or his toy or a cuddle from mummy! xx