A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 1 (TMF:2048)

Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Peace to Live By: A Rewards-Based System for Obedience, Part 1 (TMF:2048) - Daniel Litton
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       As a matter of fact, a rewards based system for obedience is actually a pretty good way to increase one’s success rate for being obedient in whatever way possible. I remember when I was growing up as a kid my Mom used to train our German Shepherd on agility. Actually, Smokey took agility classes with other dogs. The best kind of dog, they said in training, was the one who could go through the agility course without being rewarded until the end. Some dog-owners wanted to give their dogs treats at different junctions, but the most professional dog was the one who could wait to receive the treat until after completing the course. As a matter of fact, for their final exam in Smokey’s agility course, there was sausages placed throughout the course, as temptations. The goal of the dog was to finish the whole entire course without stopping to eat any of the sausages. I can remember, as a kid, watching this final exam, and indeed, Smokey completed the course without touching a signal sausage. In fact, among the variety of dogs that were there, Smokey was the only one who was able to accomplish the mission.