How long do they need treats?

[RuthyC3P]

Paylee is mostly potty trained now. She acts like she is getting bored with the treats after potty. Should I keep giving her treats and praise or just praise? or..change treats???

[WyoPresa]

Funny you should say that, Alexa started the same thing today. She went potty outside and when I gave her a treat she just played with it for an hour. But under Daves (dead on) advice, we take her out after ever activity change ie. sleeping, playing, eating. And no more accidents. Thanks Dave :ok:

[eSPO]

Bored ? Give her alotr of praise and petting ! ! these dogs never get enough of either ! ! build em up !

[ButchCappel]

Ruthy,
I am not sure a treat for going outside is really that effective. The positive enforcement of a proper action is the best way to learn but timing is imperative. That would indicate to me that the treat should be given at the instant the proper action begins not when it is finished. And if used for potty training obviously there are other things on your dogs mind at the begining.

Whether the above statement is accurate, or not, a positive enforcement should be an exciting thing so the fact that your dog is not excited by the treat, no matter what order you give it in, would indicate treats are not pushing her buttons.

Fortunately in tests done several years ago at the Royal vet academy in England they discovered that dogs will get as physically excited (respiration, blood pressure, etc.,) with physical reinforcement (petting, touching) as they will with food. Some will become as excited with food, but ALL get excited with physical praise. Verbal praise alone comes in third and seems to be a product of the relationship of the owner/dog.

So whether you swallow all this are not the fact remains that the treats are not working now. So to answer the question "when do I stop using treats?" I think the answer would be, now! But try the physical reinforcement an see what that brings you. I usually use rewards only as long as it takes the dog to undrestand the word