Choice Games

Before we started with Jan from Paws on the Levels, I didn't really consider any choice training. But its so simple to teach, and you don't need masses of space to give it a go! In america they call this "Its yer choice". its great for getting your dog to control their impulses to snatch and take food - and is great for teaching "Leave".

You'll need:

One Dog

A handful of small treats

Start with the treats in a closed hand, let the dog sniff and lick your fist. Don't let them get at the treats inside. After a while your dog will step away from your hand - open you hand. If the dog launches back towards your hand close it again. Repeat until your dog waits away from the open hand - using your spare hand, take a treat and reward your dog for waiting. Don't link any words to the choice training - your dog is making a choice to wait to be offered the treats rather than being told to sit or wait. You can repeat this activity a few times until the dog is consistently waiting to be offered the treat rather than taking it from you.

Moving up to the next level - place a treat on the floor, and place your hand over it. Let the dog sniff your hand. When the dog steps away, remove your hand - but cover the treats up if the dog goes for them.Once you can take your hand away from the treats - leaving them uncovered for a few seconds, pick the treats up and give them to your dog.

The video below (just check out the first couple of minutes) is one taken from Youtube, its a simple example of all the choice games you and your dog can learn - and more. Give Choice games a try for 5 minutes a day, and your dog will really enjoy it!