yeah, i really dont use treats at all. some people do, but i dont. i personally just dont want my dogs to do things in anticipation for a treat, but rather to please me. Maggie has done wonderful without treats. you just have to be persistent and make a total fool of yourself praising them. when they do what you ask, play with them, love on them, just go completely nuts with the love
it is actually pretty fun. dogs have a natural desire to please their master. they live for that...they want to see you happy. they want to know they have made you happy. they want nothing more than to please you and to receive your love in return. just put the treats away and save them for a random time that you feel like spoiling the baby. persistence is key. it is so much easier to just give in and give them a treat. but it is not the long term solution. what will you do when you dont have a treat but you want your dog to listen? it makes it a little more difficult. i have tested this theory..my hubby's dog is praised with treats. he is completely dependent on them. demands them. and will not do anything unless he is bribed. he is 10 years old. my 2 dogs do not get treats. they are the complete opposite. I am not saying that giving treats is bad or makes you a bad dog owner, i just think it could effectively be done without the treats. give it a shot and let me know