I do have to add this that I forgot to mention.... At our first class where it was just the owners and no dogs, the trainer explained to us how the treating process would work and that she wanted us to use something that was super enticing to the dogs - like hamburger patty, dried steak, something like that. Well, I've worked really hard to not give Tatum people food - mostly because my poodle got really overweight at one time because of my grandpa (who lived next door) feeding him off the table. It was really bad for his health to be so fat and he was much better once we got him back to dog food only. Anyway, I know a lot of people here feed your babies all kinds of "people food" but NO table food has worked really well for us. She doesn't even think to beg when we're eating at the table and I can even sit on the couch with her on my lap while I'm eating from a bag of chips and she won't even pay attention. But anyway, back to the trainer... I told her I was not feeding table food but she said that the "treat" had to be something really special to get a quick response and that Tatum wouldn't think she could always have it. She was right - no begging at the table but when we train at home, I make sure she gets something way different than her food or regular treats.
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~ Angie |