04/08/2025
Have you ever experienced the problem when training doesn't work as your dog is just not interested in the food that you have to offer?
Have you ever thought that maybe that food is just not valuable enough?
I can't stress enough what a difference it would make to match the right reward with the right training environments.
Below is an example of how you can test for valuable treats.
This is called a 'muffin tin test'.
You simple put a sample of food in each muffin hole. Make sure you have a wide variety: kibble; training treats; sausage; cheese; pate; paste; fruits/veg ect.
It will be best to video your dog so you can pause/rewind to see what order they ate the treats and number them.
Once you know the order they ate them, you can then split them into 4 groups.
Numbers 1, 2 & 3 = use for recall training.
Numbers 4, 5 & 6 = use in highly distracting areas (puppy classes, around wildlife, on busy walks or in busy parks ect)
Numbers 7, 8 & 9 = use in quiet/ low distracting areas (like in your garden or a quiet walk around the block ect)
Numbers 10, 11 & 12 = use for training in calm areas within your home.
Trouble shooting:
- If they are still not interested in the rewards you have to offer for that area/distraction, you can move up to a more valuable treat or if possible, train in a less distracting environment.
- Also, remember that rewards dont always need to be treats! If your dog much prefers a toy, reward with a toy. If your dog prefers to sniff, reward by letting them sniff.
Be flexible and dont be afraid to improvise.
