Task 1: self-control

In this task, the treat first works as a lure, which the dog has to give up, and then as a reward. Prepare yourself for the possibility of the dog offering behaviors such as digging the treats out of your hand or opening your fingers with his teeth.

Before training:

Before you begin training, test whether the treats you are using are treats that your dog is willing to work for.

Teaching this behavior takes a couple of minutes.

Task stages:

Stage 1: give the dog a treat from your hand

  1. Create interest in the treat and feed it from your hand.
  2. Repeat and make sure that your dog really wants the treats. If your dog appears to be too enthusiastic, you can also try using treats that are less interesting to your dog.

Stage 2: hide the treat and let the dog try

  1. Hide the treat in your fist and let your dog try to figure out how to get it (prepare yourself for different behaviors, such as digging).
    • If the dog’s attempts hurt you, take away your hand and begin stage 2 from the beginning
    • You can also protect yourself by using gloves, for example,
  2. When your dog stops trying even for a short while, in other words becomes passive, reinforce it and give him the treat from inside your fist.
  3. Repeat

Stage 3: Add a challenge by leaving the treat in sight. Repeat as in stage 2.

  1. Let the treat in your hand be visible to the dog and let the dog try.
    • If your dog doesn’t do anything, reinforce and reward by giving him the treat in your hand.
    • If your dog tries to remain active, immediately hide the treat inside your fist. Wait for the efforts to stop and start from the beginning.
  2. Repeat

 

Test yourself

Show your dog the treat in your hand and give him the possibility to try and get it.

  • If your dog doesn’t do anything, reinforce and reward by giving him the treat in your hand.
  • If your dog tries to remain active, immediately hide the treat inside your fist, wait for the efforts to stop and start from the beginning.

You have passed the test when the dog:

  1. becomes passive in order to get the treat
  2. reacts quickly to you closing your fist by becoming passive