Do you know what motivates your dog?
When deciding to train your pup, it is essential to keep in mind that just one day is not enough to get the results you want.
In addition to being consistent on a daily basis, you must be patient with your pup and find out what motivates him to do his best.
Knowing what motivates your dog is essential for rewarding him for each achievement throughout training. This motivation can be a treat, a toy, or even praise.
Remember that dogs have different personalities and preferences, so the same treat that motivates your friend’s dog may not motivate yours.
Check out some things that can motivate your dog below:
What Motivates your Dog?
1. Walks
Dogs love walks, so there’s nothing better than motivating your dog with a long walk after a training session.
If your dog really likes to walk, you can also train him during the walk. To do this, take short breaks along the way to practice some obedience commands and good manners.
Read More: How To Walk Two Dogs at Once?
2. Play
For some dogs, being rewarded with toys, games, and play time is more valuable than just being given treats.
In that case, we recommend always carrying around a ball or other toys that your dog loves to motivate him to learn new skills.
Read More: Backyard Games to Play With Your Dog
3. Treats
Typically, the simplest reward to offer dogs is food. And to motivate your dog to develop new skills, you can experiment with different types of treats. Start by feeding your pup’s kibble during Training Sessions (instead of free feeding their meals from the bowl). You can also use high value treats, such as freeze dried lamb, cuts from the local butcher, or hot dogs for more challenging tasks.
4. Praise
Offering praise, eye contact, and pets is a great way to motivate your dog! Despite being simple, many dogs thrive with praise as a positive reinforcer.
Recognizing a job well done is just as important as offering traditional rewards during training, such as treats and toys.
5. Canine Friends
If your dog likes to play with other dogs, how about using that as motivation for training?
One idea is to combine a group training session with other well-balanced and socialized dogs. After the session, encourage them to play and interact with each other. Training will definitely be more fun!
Read More: How to Raise a Confident Puppy
6. Mental Motivation
Did you know that mental motivation encourages your dog to learn new skills?
If your dog likes a challenge, use smart toys to encourage him to solve problems or simply find his favorite toy.
These toys can be used during training, to reinforce a lesson, or afterward as a reward.
Read More: How to Train a Dog That Doesn’t Like Treats
What Motivates your Dog? Final Conclusions
After checking out our list, what do you think motivates your dog?
Just like us humans, dogs need motivation to keep going. So reward him throughout the learning process.
Don’t forget that dogs have different interests from each other. Test out different rewards to find the one that motivates your pup the most!
Dog Walker Astoria
If you require help providing socialization opportunities for your dog and you live in Astoria, you can enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with Buster and Whiskers. We offer daily 1-hour Socialization Walks. If your pup is under-socialized, we will work with them to help desensitize them and get them ready for our Group Socialization Walks. You must live within our Astoria coverage area. In addition, your dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Laying a strong foundation in socialization is the best gift you can give your pup for a long and happy life together!
Buster and Whiskers is The #1 Dog Walking Service in Astoria, NY. If your dog needs more exercise or social interaction, enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with us. Contact us for a professional and reliable Dog Walker in Astoria! Follow us on Instagram!
