I feel so guilty but it works great....

***dogs4life*** · 04-30-2008, 09:11 PM

I used to feed Hank majority of his daily food at night with the usual training bits throughout the day. I've now been making him work for his food in order to ramp up his training. Now I kinda feel bad, I know I shouldn't but still I feel a bit dishonest about it.

Anyone else make their dog work for their dinner or am I the only weirdo?

Doglover1988 · 04-30-2008, 09:23 PM

I do! Lucy has to spin in a circle, jump on an automen, spin in a circle again, lay down, and wait for her food until I say it's ok she and the food are about 10 feet away from her while all this happens . lol She has drool hanging all the way to the floor. I don't feed it slowly throughout the day though. Maggie is untrainable and Gracie has to sit and wait until I say it's ok. The new dog hasn't learned really anything yet besides sit and lay down.

Punkygirl0101 · 05-01-2008, 02:35 AM

I don't..but thats cause I free feed. If i only had a couple dogs I would use the NILIF method.

***Swiftwind*** · 05-01-2008, 04:34 AM

I don't make my dogs work for their food, but they are required to be patient when I'm preparing it for them. I make them go on their bed, sit and not whine. For treats, I make Harley do his 'paw' trick before giving him a treat.

***Rivsky*** · 05-01-2008, 04:35 AM

Man you must think poor River gets it tough then - he has to work for just about everything that he eats!!

Like tonight he had to go pick up the metal, leather and wooden articles to get bits of his dinner and I think it's a great way to train as he was having a great time racing around the lounge room.

I seriously think it's a great way to train though as they really love what they're doing and it's the easiest way to help them learn that they've got something right.

ETA: I don't think of it as dishonest at all - I just liken it to being paid for a job well done.

***dogs4life*** · 05-01-2008, 10:36 AM

I'm digging how attentive he is, he's already picked up some more tricks....over (jump) , under (crawls under) and dance but still working on shake, heel and a more enthusiastic recall. BTW Sam's relationship with Hank is really blossoming because she's able to feed too, it's amazing and heart warning to see them so happy together, having fun and playing.

Lindsey - I though Hank was un-trainable too till I found stuff he'd work for, his dinner and took shaping to the 1000 th degree

Maybe Maggie would catch on if you find something she's willing to flip for....

Melanie - Yeah, it gets overwhelming with so many mouths to feed.

Erin - That's what I was doing but was so bummed with his progress for learning tricks. I was starting to lose hope until I read and article about closed economy systems for animal training. It made sense, so thought I'd try a couple days....Whammo, he's a more focused pupil

Tash - Man you're a slave driver

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating", eh

I know I shouldn't feel it's dishonest, I'm not starving him and my intentions are genuine plus it's fun for him too. It's actually been great as a confidence builder, he's really transforming from a bit depressed after Montana's death to full of joy and puppy-like again.

Doglover1988 · 05-01-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogs4life

Lindsey - I though Hank was un-trainable too till I found stuff he'd work for, his dinner and took shaping to the 1000 th degree

Maybe Maggie would catch on if you find something she's willing to flip for...

Well she loves food and I have tried and tried and tried. I can lure her into doing things but she will not no matter what catch on that the command = what she is doing. I can lure her into a sit over and over again but she will not sit if I just tell her to sit. Even my new dog who I have only had a few days can do that. lol She loves free shaping with clickers though although she still can never follow commands lol. I hope that made sense.

***dogs4life*** · 05-01-2008, 11:09 AM

I've found Hank doesn't learn through luring except for recall, he loves his food tooooo much if that makes any sense. Shaping is a whole different story with him, he understands so fast. If I use hand signals and body language for cues, he picks up tricks much more quickly as opposed to verbal.

Well we're a bit OT but oh well

calgal · 05-01-2008, 01:35 PM

My three Yorkies have to stay in the sit position while I'm preparing their food and not take the food until I say ok. No freebies in this house..........everyone works for what they get.

***dogs4life*** · 05-02-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgal

My three Yorkies have to stay in the sit position while I'm preparing their food and not take the food until I say ok. No freebies in this house..........everyone works for what they get.

More company!

How do you get all 3 to sit nice?

k9hullio_sam · 05-02-2008, 11:21 AM

Mandi has to work for all of her treats, but not for her food. I think if she didn't have to work all the time for her treats, she would start to not work for them at all.

Besides last week when she was being strange, she is never really 'hungry' when she eats, or too excited so sitting or working at all for it would be pointless. She would probably just get bored and wait till later to eat! lol

calgal · 05-02-2008, 02:57 PM

The two older ones (3 years old) will sit very nice, but the baby (7 months) sits, gets up, sits, get up and on and on. She's too flighty yet to stay in a sit position very long.

***Cassiepeia*** · 05-02-2008, 04:00 PM

I use to make Jesse sit for his food most times. I thought of it as simple manners.

Cass.

k9hullio_sam · 05-02-2008, 05:27 PM

I think sitting for their food is great manners! Especially if they dive right in and are pushy for it.

I have to call Mandi over to her food though-- does that count as working?? LMAO!

Lunachick · 05-03-2008, 05:43 PM

For meals, I make Zoe sit and wait before I place it on the floor. For treats, I make her do different tricks each time - sit, shake, lay down, dance, beg. I used to do over (jump) but haven't done it in awhile. Those are all good ideas though. I should try them.
Does anyone know if it makes a difference what time of day you feed them? I feed Zoe one meal in the morning, but she gets treats throughout the day.

View Poll Results: Do you require your dog to work for food?
My dog(s) work for ALL food, no meals just behavior reinforcement.	2	22.22%
My dog(s) work for ALL food but we feed meals and snacks.	2	22.22%
My dog(s) work for ALL treats, but we're relaxed with meals.	4	44.44%
My dog(s) get free meals and free snacks, I don't require tricks or certain behavior.	1	11.11%
other (please explain)	0	0%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll

04-30-2008, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
*dogs4life* I'm Crunchy Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 1,951 Blog Entries: 11 Rep Power: 101	I feel so guilty but it works great.... I used to feed Hank majority of his daily food at night with the usual training bits throughout the day. I've now been making him work for his food in order to ramp up his training. Now I kinda feel bad, I know I shouldn't but still I feel a bit dishonest about it. Anyone else make their dog work for their dinner or am I the only weirdo?
	__________________ ~Kendra Rest in Peace Sweet Montana (1992-2008) Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Recipes

04-30-2008, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doglover1988 3 mutts 1 boston terrier Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dallas, Georgia Posts: 2,431 Rep Power: 113	I do! Lucy has to spin in a circle, jump on an automen, spin in a circle again, lay down, and wait for her food until I say it's ok she and the food are about 10 feet away from her while all this happens . lol She has drool hanging all the way to the floor. I don't feed it slowly throughout the day though. Maggie is untrainable and Gracie has to sit and wait until I say it's ok. The new dog hasn't learned really anything yet besides sit and lay down.
	__________________ And-2 cats -1 cockatiel -6 Zebra finches -1 syrian hamster -2 mice -1 rabbit -3 bettas "If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog"-- Unknown Lindsey

05-01-2008, 02:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Punkygirl0101 7 Doxies-1 Chi-3 Mutts Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Central Valley,California Posts: 2,045 Rep Power: 83	I don't..but thats cause I free feed. If i only had a couple dogs I would use the NILIF method.
	__________________ R.I.P Brad!(November 1st, 1998-July 1st, 2008) R.I.P Zen! (January 10th, 2008-May 17th, 2008) 23 Kitties-2 Rabbits-7 Rats-1 Hamster-2 Turtles-Fish

05-01-2008, 04:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,748 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 204	I don't make my dogs work for their food, but they are required to be patient when I'm preparing it for them. I make them go on their bed, sit and not whine. For treats, I make Harley do his 'paw' trick before giving him a treat.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

05-01-2008, 04:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,774 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 141	Man you must think poor River gets it tough then - he has to work for just about everything that he eats!! Like tonight he had to go pick up the metal, leather and wooden articles to get bits of his dinner and I think it's a great way to train as he was having a great time racing around the lounge room. I seriously think it's a great way to train though as they really love what they're doing and it's the easiest way to help them learn that they've got something right. ETA: I don't think of it as dishonest at all - I just liken it to being paid for a job well done.
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Rivsky : 05-01-2008 at 04:37 AM. Reason: Edited to add

05-01-2008, 10:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
*dogs4life* I'm Crunchy Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 1,951 Blog Entries: 11 Rep Power: 101	I'm digging how attentive he is, he's already picked up some more tricks....over (jump) , under (crawls under) and dance but still working on shake, heel and a more enthusiastic recall. BTW Sam's relationship with Hank is really blossoming because she's able to feed too, it's amazing and heart warning to see them so happy together, having fun and playing. Lindsey - I though Hank was un-trainable too till I found stuff he'd work for, his dinner and took shaping to the 1000 th degree Maybe Maggie would catch on if you find something she's willing to flip for.... Melanie - Yeah, it gets overwhelming with so many mouths to feed. Erin - That's what I was doing but was so bummed with his progress for learning tricks. I was starting to lose hope until I read and article about closed economy systems for animal training. It made sense, so thought I'd try a couple days....Whammo, he's a more focused pupil Tash - Man you're a slave driver "The proof of the pudding is in the eating", eh I know I shouldn't feel it's dishonest, I'm not starving him and my intentions are genuine plus it's fun for him too. It's actually been great as a confidence builder, he's really transforming from a bit depressed after Montana's death to full of joy and puppy-like again.
	__________________ ~Kendra Rest in Peace Sweet Montana (1992-2008) Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Recipes

05-01-2008, 11:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
*dogs4life* I'm Crunchy Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 1,951 Blog Entries: 11 Rep Power: 101	I've found Hank doesn't learn through luring except for recall, he loves his food tooooo much if that makes any sense. Shaping is a whole different story with him, he understands so fast. If I use hand signals and body language for cues, he picks up tricks much more quickly as opposed to verbal. Well we're a bit OT but oh well
	__________________ ~Kendra Rest in Peace Sweet Montana (1992-2008) Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Recipes

05-01-2008, 01:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	My three Yorkies have to stay in the sit position while I'm preparing their food and not take the food until I say ok. No freebies in this house..........everyone works for what they get.

05-02-2008, 11:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
k9hullio_sam R.I.P. Baby Girl Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,984 Rep Power: 107	Mandi has to work for all of her treats, but not for her food. I think if she didn't have to work all the time for her treats, she would start to not work for them at all. Besides last week when she was being strange, she is never really 'hungry' when she eats, or too excited so sitting or working at all for it would be pointless. She would probably just get bored and wait till later to eat! lol
	__________________ RIP Mandi Mae.....March 7, 2005 - June 15, 2008

05-02-2008, 02:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	The two older ones (3 years old) will sit very nice, but the baby (7 months) sits, gets up, sits, get up and on and on. She's too flighty yet to stay in a sit position very long.

05-02-2008, 04:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,281 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 284	I use to make Jesse sit for his food most times. I thought of it as simple manners. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

05-02-2008, 05:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
k9hullio_sam R.I.P. Baby Girl Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,984 Rep Power: 107	I think sitting for their food is great manners! Especially if they dive right in and are pushy for it. I have to call Mandi over to her food though-- does that count as working?? LMAO!
	__________________ RIP Mandi Mae.....March 7, 2005 - June 15, 2008

05-03-2008, 05:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
Lunachick Zoe's Mama Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 427 Rep Power: 25	For meals, I make Zoe sit and wait before I place it on the floor. For treats, I make her do different tricks each time - sit, shake, lay down, dance, beg. I used to do over (jump) but haven't done it in awhile. Those are all good ideas though. I should try them. Does anyone know if it makes a difference what time of day you feed them? I feed Zoe one meal in the morning, but she gets treats throughout the day.
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