What Will Your Dog Work For?

[MrsD]

I had to laugh at some of the answers - a piece of grass is about as weird as a piece of alfoil .

Here's a question for those whose dogs will work for obscure things - do your dogs work for them because they perceive them to be a treat (ie food) or a toy? And once the dog has had the reward once, would they still want to work for the object?

Emm, it only came about because I was sitting on the lounge when Jarrah came in to see me & I happened to pick it up off the coffee table & he started offering me behaviours because he saw me pick it up. He perceives it as a toy & because I have it, it's high value, so if I threw it for him he would retrieve it & start offering behaviours again if I didnt give him commands. It's not specific to alfoil as FHRP mentioned earlier in the thread, it's anything that can be considered a toy ie anything that can be thrown really.

Edited February 11, 2008 by MrsD

[The Spotted Devil]

Speaking of obscure, my neighbour dropped over a handful of lemons today...Zig went a little nuts with excitement at the door but sat beautifully when asked with his eyes fixated on the lemons. Of course, when he wasn't rewarded with what he perceived to be a "treat/toy" he started throwing a few other behaviours at me - not all of them very useful. Same thing happened when I crumpled up a piece of paper to throw in the bin

[helen]

I always use food of various sorts but someone got Chazer doing so work very keenly using a toy a few days ago.

[Guest Clover]

Clover: Food, food and food... she is a piggy. She will/ would occasionally work for a ball if i rev/ed her up enough. But these days i mainly just go through quick obedience routines with her and she just gets a cuddle at the end that she is happy enough with.

Elvis: Nothing, just works to be with me i guess.

Tinny: Food.

Harri: Food, Toys, Tuggies etc. He did work for a bit of grass aswell yesterday, he would not drop so i plucked a bit of grass to use and he loved it :rolleyes:.

[Sayreovi]

Here's a question for those whose dogs will work for obscure things - do your dogs work for them because they perceive them to be a treat (ie food) or a toy? And once the dog has had the reward once, would they still want to work for the object?

I dont think he sees it as food as he doesnt eat it though occasionally it must smell nice because he does, it seems like merely having it in his possession after it has been in mine is what he is really working for

Yes he will work for the same bit again if i take it off him which supports my little theory of him working for it because i have it not for what it is, ive even sat on the grass and got him to do things and rewarded him with grass......he even watches me pick the grass right in front of him and then give it too him

[J...]

Here's a question for those whose dogs will work for obscure things - do your dogs work for them because they perceive them to be a treat (ie food) or a toy? And once the dog has had the reward once, would they still want to work for the object?

Toy here, and she will work for it again easily. Darcy has pretty high play drive so I can get her razzed up with my bare hands with minimal effort, just need to be prepared to deal with the nip marks & bruises that goes with it - she loves to play rough. Thus why I prefer a toy for her to take it out on!

[Tonymc]

All our Dogs will work for the satisfaction of drive,so whatever I point them at they go. Tony

[centitout]

bono will trail for a chicken carcass-its his idea of heaven and for a tummy rub .the other girl will do it more for the thrill of it and some frankfurt,same as k.c,the other girl.

[TangerineDream]

I once did a training session with a Golden Retriever with a frangipani flower

Tango is more play driven than food driven with obedience training.....will retrieve till he gets hot & works brilliantly. Show training is 'strictly business' as he's totally 'overenthusiastic' at shows so it's all serious...although he does get to bounce madly up and down in the ring if he gets awarded (that's his play).

have never really used food much in obedience...always been play with all my dogs (Dobes & GSP's)

[JulesP]

I was just showing someone how my puppy is going with her training. I don't have any of the usual treats so picked up a stick and had her doing beautiful offlead heeling, complete with right about turns. I was pretty impressed as she is only 18 weeks old. I love this puppy!

[Sheridan]

I started obedience training with my little girl recently. She seemed quite food oriented at home but not in the big wide world where there's Lots of Dogs. She wasn't interested in the food I brought nor in anyone else's food. Will try a toy this week, I think.

[mcq]

I have found that my girl will work for anything - toys are her favorite reward but she's happy with just praise. my new pup on the other hand, LOVES his food! He's only just worked out that he will get praise regarless of a food reward though and I'm starting to get results whether there is food toy or nothing :-D