I use food for training my 8 month old Plott hound and she does quite well but friends have told me that my dog should work for me without treats. When do I stop rewarding? Also, how do you suggest getting her out of her crate when she's sleeping? Treats don't work for this.

I have a 8 month old Plotthound which is trained quite well for a hound breed I think, meaning she can focus well on me when I demand it. I do however rely heavily on treats during dog training - my dog gets all her meals during training. Some "friends" have told me, my dog should work for me even without treats (to which I usually answer, that they should work for their employer without pay), and while I do sometimes demand small "rows" of commands before giving the reward, I still pretty much reward always at some point. When do I have to stop rewarding? When I decrease my amount of rewarding, the dogs' motivation decreases enormously, and as a hound, her toy motivation is low, despite all my efforts to change that, so that is out of question as a reward too.

As a second side question - I work full time, have to get the dog a long walk before I leave for work. But she never wants to get up. How to wake her up and get her out of her crate? Treats don't work here. Thanks!

Leerburg's Answer

You never have to stop rewarding your dog. You may go to a more random or variable reward schedule but I reward my dogs for their entrie lives.

Also, when friends offer advice just smile and then forget it. I never understood why people that are not dog trainers have so much advice.

As for getting your dog up-how are you doing it now? I have one dog that is sleepy and rolls over on his back when I get him up in the morning. He's 80 lbs so I just put a slip lead over his head and lead him out of his crate. I have learned that coaxing him and trying to lure him doesn't work so I don't say anything much. Just "let's go out!" and use my leash.