How to Do Treat Testing with Your Dog

Mastering Treat Testing: Discovering Your Dog's Favorites

Understanding what motivates your dog is crucial for effective training. Treat testing is a fun way to determine which treats your pup finds most appealing. Here’s how to do it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Treat Testing:

  1. Gather Your Treats:
    • Select five different treats. You can choose all solid treats, all spreadable treats, or a mix. Make sure they are safe and suitable for your dog.
  2. Set Up the Test Area:
    • Find a quiet spot where your dog can focus. Lay the treats out in a line, spacing them evenly to prevent any overlap.
  3. Send Your Dog:
    • Use a release word like "OK!" or "Break" to send your dog toward the treats. Observe which ones they eat first.
  4. Record the Choices:
    • Keep track of the order in which your dog consumes the treats. Repeat the process two more times, shuffling the order of the treats each time. This helps you understand if they always go for a specific spot or treat first.
  5. Analyze the Results:
    • After three rounds, determine which treats were eaten the most and which were left behind. This will help you categorize the treats into high, medium, and low value based on your dog's preferences.
  6. Incorporate Findings into Training:
    • Use the high-value treats during more challenging training sessions to boost motivation. Regularly reassess your dog's preferences, as they can change over time.

Treat testing is an easy way to strengthen your training sessions and ensure your dog is motivated to learn. By understanding your dog's preferences, you can make training fun and rewarding for both of you!

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