For the reasons I outlined and because old school training involves "modelling" ie placing/pushing/positioning the dog with your hands (thereby creating the opposition reflex) rather than luring, capturing or marking the behaviour.

Ah thanks. I had just got me thinking. I wouldn't consider not using food with my less than biddable breeds!

The one I get a lot, is that teaching the dog to tug means that they will no longer have a soft mouth.

....oh and the ever classic, cannot teach it to sit because it will no longer be able to stand!

Yes, those too.

I think it is a shame as those owners are only regurgitating the old wives tales they have been fed by trainers.

So basically they are only reflecting poor practice/information.

Im a wicked dog owner, I never train with treats..... but do praise praise praise



These are not food motivated due to lack of treats so they are not used to it, but they do get a bonio from time to time, not because I am training but more because I want them to have one.

However I have to admit I not a great believer in treats ''food'' wise'' never have been I like my dogs to listen to my voice change, they know when they have achieved by the delighted voice and they know when not to do something by my firm voice.
I personally prefer them trained this way

Yes I was told not to teach mine to sit because they show dogs. Turned out to be nonsense - they are more than capable of learning multiple commands, and also know that the show lead is a signal for what they have been trained to do in that scenario.

Yes, I have seen people recomend that - even for just agility or HWtM dogs so your attention is a big amazing rewarding thing. Personally I dont like that, I like my dogs to be able to have chilled down time with me and not see every sec with me as 'working' even if I have to try and be more interesting when I am working them

Yes very true
I also always worry a little when people say 'my dogs work only for praise' i am sure a few do, but more often the praise means the end of the shoving and yanking so actually they are working for the end of the punishemnts

imo much better to have a whole load of rewards - praise, petting, food, great food, balls, tuggy, chase games, getting to do more work/tricks/agility, going to chase the birds, playing with another dog

and tbh with all dogs I have worked with praise is the lowest level rewaed in the list of rewards for the dog

I tried that but he was fussy with it, i dont think he was seeing it as a treat because he has it everyday, i guess its like me giving the kids their veg as a treat instead of sweets lol!

Then just cut his meals down.

tried that too! he doesnt see it as a treat unless its something super scrummy and his complete does not fit his criteria when it comes to training treats lol, anyways using the praise and less treats is working and doing better for the podge so im sticking with that, i think iv spoilt him too much