BRIBE vs REWARD

Let's talk about this for a moment.  Getting those treats out of your hand is a very important step of any training but I have a lot of students who ask when they can stop using rewards all together.

Remember - rewards can be anything - which is why I transition from food as the primary to praise/play/access to a resource as we go. 

Luna is learning that BEHAVIOR happens first because it is asked not because there is a great reward offered.  Don't get me wrong - there is a great reward involved but it only comes AFTER the behavior is done - not as a bribe for doing it.

Does your dog need to SEE the treat in your hand before they will respond?  Then you need to work on what is called FADING THE LURE.  Make the reward a REWARD and not a BRIBE...it makes all the difference.