Genuine Question: FF and Food Lures
Hey Team - let me know if this isn't appropriate here and would be better in r/Dogtraining.
I'm not a trainer. I have a genuine question and would like y'all to drop some knowledge on me about something that keeps coming up with my current pup (19 months, male, Australian Shepherd). I preface this by saying - my guy is an incredible dog. He is well-tempered, biddable, and smart. His needs and my lifestyle are compatible. So I know I have a leg up already. I also definitely use "pressure" to correct my dog, whether it's pressure from my body, pressure from his collar, or physically removing him from dangerous situations (like counter-surfing near a hot stove).
We started out working with a FF trainer when I needed support to teach things I really didn't know how to teach myself. Things went fine, though not 100% successful. I love to reward my dog, but jeebus, I was giving him a zillion treats per training session, and relying on them strongly to support behaviors when we got home. My dog patterns VERY quickly and complexly. So giving a treat for getting his paws off my desk equals "jump on the desk, then get down, then get a treat." We recently started agility training. He's the best student in the class. But he's also disruptive while "waiting his turn" (barking and restless). The trainer suggested I check out the Absolute Dogs "Sexier than a Squirrel" video series as a method to help re-orient his attention toward me during "passive" times. Again, it's food-based. In fact, the foundation of the program is that you never feed from a bowl again and you use your dog's regular meals as rewards in all training exercises.
I'm not actually opposed to this entirely just on principle. I'm wondering - when does it end? My dog is food-motivated (but also motivated by toys), so it's definitely an effective tool. But my entire relationship with my dog cannot center around food and treat rewards. Definitely when I teach the basics like a down stay or place I can space out those food rewards more and more over time and eventually phase them out, and that does work for my dog. But I don't see how I can apply that to all situations. Am I overthinking?
Thanks in advance.