Quote Originally Posted by Thandi
Everyone mentions treats while training. Well, Chloe is totally and absolutely disinterested in any form of food as a treat. It's a bummer, really, because it would make life so much easier! The laser pointer works if she's in the mood for it. Mika will do anything for a treat, so I don't have a problem with her, but neither do I have a problem with training her, only with Chloe. Oh well....
How about turning the training sessions into games? Kai LOVES playing hide and seek so I do that for his recall exercises. I started by putting him in a stay, then hiding somewhere (where he could still see a part of me.. like behind the curtains). Then I'd call him and reward him like crazy when he found me. He got better and better so eventually, I was able to leave him upstairs while I went downstairs and hid in tough spots.. like downstairs, in my closet, in my room, behind some blankets. He LOVES it. I find that he responds much better when training is a game for him, rather than just working for food. I also try to do the hide and seek a bit when we're in the dog park. I usually hide behind a tree or bench so he still thinks of come as something fun and exciting.. even when we're at the park.