Lesson 5: How Play Can Turbocharge Your Dog’s Training

Positive reinforcement is essential to training because it keeps your dog keen to learn. If your dog thinks there’s a risk of being punished if they do something wrong, they are less likely to be interested in trying new things. By reinforcing good behaviours (rather than punishing bad) you can successfully train your dog, without the risk of the relationship fallout that often comes from punishment.

Play is the ultimate motivator

As dog owners, we often look to treats as a first port of call when it comes to rewards. However, for lots of dogs, play is more motivating than food. For this reason, using your Tug-E-Nuff toy as a go to reward can help boost your dog’s focus and engagement when training. Plus, keeping your Tug-E-Nuff toy specifically for training (in other words, not letting your dog have free rein to play with it whenever they like) can make sure the toy maintains its prized status as a high value reward, and remains highly motivating.