Treat vs Play Drive in Working Dogs
All Dogs are Not the Same
When it comes to working dogs, their response to different stimuli is driven by their unique personalities and motivations. Understanding a dog’s drive and motivation is crucial when it comes to effective training. In the case of working dogs, such as those used in search and rescue or police work, their drive can be categorized into two main types: treat drive and play drive.
Treat drive refers to a dog’s willingness to work for food rewards. These food rewards are small nuggets of very fragrant snacks dogs love. Many dogs are highly motivated by treats because they use their nose first before any of their other senses. Treats can be used as positive reinforcement to reinforce desired behaviors and encourage learning quickly. This is especially important in the beginning when learning how to communicate with your dog. If they are not following your commands you will notice your dog will begin trying different behaviors until they are rewarded. (Pro-Tip: Use high-quality treats that do not contain a lot of calories, sugar, and fats. These can sometimes upset their sensitive digestive system if overused).
On the other hand, play drive revolves around a dog’s desire for interaction, engagement, and fun. Some dogs are more motivated by play than food rewards. Play can include activities such as fetching a ball, playing tug-of-war, or engaging in interactive games with their handlers. Tugs, rope toys, frisbees, kongs can be easily carried in the handler’s pocket for a quick reward of wanted behavior.
Depending on what your training goal is, a dogs bite force and their intensity level can determine what toy should be chose to reward with. I use different toys to elicit different levels of excitement and drive. A chuck-it ball or a tug toy may be used daily for training for eliciting a low to medium intensity level of response. (Pro-Tip: Make sure you purchase the rubber balls-the regular tennis ball like ones become nasty and dirty fast plus they are usually crushed after just one play session).
A chuck-it ball would be used in play for reinforcing basic commands and is a fun interactive way to engage with your dog. If I am wanting a more profound higher drive, such as adding on to a basic skill such as scent training, I have to up the “anti”, A.K.A. their reward. My two shepherds go from 0-100 when I pull out their rubber frisbee. It is go time! My favorite is the rubber kong frisbee, it is durable even for the most aggressive chewers. (Pro-tip: You are the handler and have the ability to place value on the toys so you choose what toy and when it will be played with).
How I accomplish this is not allowing to them to have the toys during down time or relaxation time. During Play time you may ask…,”what toys do you let your dogs play with”? The answer is simple, low value toys as I described earlier. The boys still must earn the the reward by following basic commands.
Determining which method is best for your dog requires careful observation and understanding of their individual preferences and temperament. Some dogs may respond better to treat-based training methods, while others may thrive on play-based interactions.
It is important to note that both treat-driven and play-driven approaches have their advantages. Treats provide immediate gratification and can be easily controlled during training sessions. Play, on the other hand, offers an opportunity for bonding between the dog and handler while providing mental stimulation.
Determining which method is best for your dog requires careful observation and understanding of their individual preferences and temperament.
Ultimately, finding the right balance between treat-based training methods and incorporating play into your dog’s routine will depend on your specific goals as well as your dog’s unique personality traits. A skilled trainer can assess your dog’s drives effectively to determine which approach will yield the best results.
By understanding your working dog’s motivation drives – whether it be treat or play – you can tailor your training techniques accordingly for optimal success in reaching desired outcomes.
