Using Treats For Havanese Training

Pets Articles | September 4, 2009

Looking for effective ways to train your havanese? Using dog treats can help you train your dog successfully...

Whether you are training your havanese to obey simple commands or gearing him up to compete in agility or obedience, one of the most important techniques that must be included in your havanese training is the use of treats. Though some can be so small, treats play a major role in making your pet a four-legged creature everybody loves to be around.

A treat is not considered as staple food. It is given to reward a dog for being obedient, for every good or acceptable behavior displayed. Just like other positive reinforcers such as praise and toys, giving of treats aims to increase the chance of that good or acceptable behavior being displayed again. Training your dog to sit, come or go potty is more likely to become successful if you always have a handful of treats in your pocket.

While treats can be effective in havanese training, inappropriate use of it can produce unpleasant result such as a yappy and snappy small dog who will only obey commands when treat is readily available. The best way to prevent this from happening is to keep the treats in your pocket or somewhere that is not visible to your dog. Then take it out only when he has exhibited the behavior. This aims to let your dog realize that he is still getting a treat without him seeing it. As the training progresses, gradually replace the foods with praise or his favorite toy until he is accustomed of doing the trick even without the treats.

When using treats for havanese training, it is important to choose treats your pet may find rewarding. It should be different from the regular dog food and should not be human foods. Some human foods can upset a dog's digestive system while some can cause obesity or poisoning. Choosing specially packaged and appealing treats is essential.

The rule "no trick no treat" is applied here so try not to be easily swayed by your dog's pleading eyes or heart-breaking whine.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Cussons is delighted to share havanese training techniques he knows. His site havanesesavvy.com is filled with useful havanese training tips for havanese enthusiasts all over the world.