Certified dog trainer Jae Thomas explains how to use training rewards well. Thomas, a contributor to Whole Dog Journal, spoke with WDJ executive editor Kate O'Connor about the topic.
Rewards increase the chance a behavior happens again, according to Thomas. Pairing a reward with a marker, such as a clicker or the word "yes," tells the dog exactly what it did right. The marker must be conditioned so the dog knows a reward is coming. Thomas calls rewarding without marking a common mistake, because the dog is left guessing what it is being paid for.
Rewards are not only food. Thomas says toy play, praise, and environmental rewards also count, and the right choice depends on the dog and the skill. She suggests mapping a dog's low-, medium-, and high-value rewards. Some dogs will give up food for a toy, and a treat can be so exciting that a dog cannot think about the task. Thomas recommends saving the best rewards for harder, more distracting situations.
Timing matters too. A reward given too early captures a half-finished behavior. A reward given too late may arrive after the dog has broken position or offered something else. Thomas describes a high rate of reinforcement for distractible dogs and