The problem with treats and clickers isn’t that they’re not helpful, but that they can be misused and, above all, overused.
For example, if you want to teach a dog from animal protection that hasn’t yet learned to “sit, stay, etc.”, then clickers and treats are good tools.
However, if a dog hasn’t experienced a successful first phase of sociogenesis and/or is a fearful dog that reacts aggressively to everything and everyone, then trying to solve these problems with clickers and treats is misleading!
The basic rule for training dogs is always :
Relationship before tools
The tools used should never stand in the way of building and maintaining the relationship, but should complement it.
As many treats and clickers as necessary – and as little as possible!
Because: Orientation towards humans facilitates habituation , and not the treat!
