Hi LG
I think it depends on the dog (as you allude to) with eze, and I suspect murphys law its not that she is not motivated by food, she loves biscuits or chicken bits or whatever BUT its as though she accepts the treat as a given right. Maybe its how you approach early training and effectively train the dog to associate food being a reward as opposed to food being, well, food. In other words it's a failing on my part but on the plus side I have THE BALL to fall back on. The only thing that trumps a ball is game but only when working as strangely a ball will trump game if we were to bump into game on the lane or in the field, context I suppose. Strange things cockers aren't they 😁
I don't think its a failing on your part Ian, there's no right and wrong way, there are lots of ways of training positively, food and treats are just one. A whole change in attitude towards training, backed, again, by the food industry has us all buying and using treats probably a lot more often than years ago. All my trainers have advised "lots of really tasty treats". To be honest, I also think its a matter of convenience, especially in a less rural environment where training has to be done on the street. Giving food and treats is how most of show love, thanks or reward or to "entice" (the lady loves milk tray
). It really is a matter of personal choice, the dog and what you're trying to train, howeved I do agree that it can be easy to fall into the trap of it turning into bribery, I admit I've done this myself on occasions. At the end of the day, its what works for you and the proof of the pudding is in the eating, if you're getting the result you want, then that's the right method and you seem to be doing ok with your little lady!
