Michele Hatley’s Tuesday Dog Training Tip – Food Free Hands

Will Your Dog Only “Focus” When The Treats Are Out?

One benefit to using a clicker is that food doesn’t have to be constantly held in your hand. It’s great to have a dog that is excited and motivated to work for their food, but it becomes a problem when they are so distracted by the presence of it that they can’t concentrate on what you want them to do.

Keeping the food out of your hands takes the attention off the rewards and puts the focus back on the task. Unless you are specifically using a luring technique, keep the food in a pouch or pocket until it is time to deliver the reward.