The number one mistake that dog owners make in training their dogs is this – they decide that they’re done.  Most people do some research when they get a new dog or puppy, or they sign up for a training class.  During that time, they follow the rules – always have a treat pouch, give tons of reinforcement, reward the dog for good behavior – but then the class ends or the puppy gets older, and that’s it.  Now people expect their dog to perform the same behaviors, but they’re not paying them for it anymore.  You tell your dog to sit, they comply, and you move on.  If you do that enough times, most dogs will decide that it’s not worth it to sit anymore.

 Remember that each time you give your dog a command, they are making a choice – whether or not to comply.  Make that choice as easy as you can by rewarding them for it! 

This is especially true of recall.  If you want to have a dog with reliable recall, you cannot take them offleash if you don’t have treats on you.  The more often you call your dog away from something rewarding in the woods and they return and don’t get paid for it, the more likely they are to blow you off next time. 

Training is a lifelong process.  No, you don’t need to wear a treat pouch forever, but you should always put it on when you go out for an offleash walk.  We humans wouldn’t work for free, and we shouldn’t expect our dogs to either!  Pay your dogs with treats and praise!