Does your dog only sit when asked if you show them a treat? Do you need to point to their bed for them to go lie on it? They are not disobedient or stubborn. There is a communication issue.

In the context of a situation, your dog is studying your body language for cues: how you stand, how you hold your hands, and your eye contact. Words or cues are often the least important information to them.

Critics of positive reinforcement training claim that using treats is bribery, but this is a misunderstanding of the use of a food lure.

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With good training mechanics, a lure is a temporary tool, like training wheels on a bicycle, while your dog learns a new behavior. Luring should be faded as soon as possible, after a few successful repetitions, so they do not depend on the sight of the treat in your hand. Fading is done gradually, from showing the treat to hiding it in a closed fist, then an empty fist, and transitioning to a hand signal.

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Work at your dog’s pace to build their confidence in the new behavior and to avoid frustration.

The easiest way to fade using a lure:

1. Give a verbal cue for a known behavior, then wait a few seconds for your dog to offer the behavior. If not, offer the lure as you previously did.
2. Next, repeat the cue but make the lure less pronounced, such as using an empty hand. Mark and reward the behavior.
3. When they are consistently performing the behavior without the treat, make your hand signal less pronounced. Mark and treat.
4. Continue this process until the gesture is less pronounced each time until fully eliminating the physical cue, and your dog does the skill just on a verbal cue.

Fading the lure does not mean you stop rewarding your dog for a job well done. They should still get praise and be treated periodically. Rewarding them with a treat every time can work against you. If they expect a treat after every behavior, withholding a treat can cause confusion since they may believe they did not perform the behavior correctly.

To build truly reliable behaviors, use intermittent reinforcement. This method is like a slot machine; your dog knows a treat is coming but does not know when. They will keep offering the behavior in anticipation of an eventual treat.

Using different reinforcements can also help with treat dependency. As part of an intermittent reinforcement schedule, use playtime outside, a favorite game or toy, cuddling, or a walk, depending on your dog’s preferences.