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Message: [QUOTE="BLUEDOGHOUSE, post: 2788561, member: 981"] I never used treats in my training. All positive reinforcement based on mutual respect. You want to be the alpha and your dog would prefer you as the leader of the pack. This creates a relationship based on trust that is truly genuine. Every night we may add steak juice or some other goodies mixed with some Orjen for a treat in her bowl (not hand to mouth). Some dogs NOT ALL crave to relinguish a leadership role and certain breeds that are strong willed and naturally dominant will look at the treat based training routine as a true sign of weakness by the handler. IF a dog responds to your commands based of his intelligence and love for you as opposed to the treat it opens up an amazing bonding experience. Actually an incredible one. Have you ever been out and witnessed some of the treat based handlers? I mean there are times I have my dog in the heel and we walk by another dog who is just forced to sit there while the owner feeds him treats. Otherwise the dog would be aggressive. Some not all can break this dependency over time. Look even Fidelco uses treats at times so I understand the temptation. I think you can be one of the unique trainers that isnt treat/food based (most are not healthy for the dog). You love dogs. My friend any day of the week. [/QUOTE]