[PrincessDiana]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

We use hand signals too. But I might suggest one thing. Once he learns the command, I don't let Coby get close enough to tell if I have a treat or not. If he's jumping up trying to smell the treat, try pulling your hand quickly out of reach (or smell). He needs to learn to TRUST that there's a treat there or WAIT to see if there's a treat. He can't set the rules for obeying - you get to. Once trying to phase out treats, a trainer once said that you should still randomly give a treat once in a while just to reinforce the drive to obey you.

All that being said, mine still get treats for pottying (after they potty, one barks and the other begs to tell us that they pottied - Reggie is 11 years old!!) and Coby still gets one for going to his kennel on command (or when he sees me get my coat on). But for many other commands, they just get treats once in a while.

Good idea! I hadn't thought about just not even showing him the treat. We'll try that and see how it works.. Thank you!