Question
Yesterday I adopted a Husky from a family that could no longer take care of him.
He's a great dog but is terrible on leash, his nose is #1 he'll follow it anywhere. I've tried normal techniques such as walking with a treat in my hand and asking for heel, stopping when he pulls, changing directions... Nothing seems to work, the only way he walks well is if I sprint repeatedly on the grass with him and he starts to get tired. When he's tired he walks ok.
So how can you train a dog who does not respond to treats? I've tried numerous brands and types, the only food he's jumped through hoops for is steak and I don't think i'll be taking him for walks with a steak in my hand...
Answer
Treats aren't the only reward you can use, and some dogs can teach you a lot about motivation (such as huskies). If treats aren't working now, think about what he does love. Depending on the dog it can be anything from balls, tugs, chasing, running around, pets, praise, etc. I'm sure there's something that he loves (even if it's something "bad").
You can teach loose leash walking with toys, but it requires very careful reward placement and it helps if he has a good "leave it" / "get it" command.
Once you have something, you can begin using the premack principle to transfer his joy into other things or at least more appropriate things. This states that more probable behaviors increase the likelihood of less probable behaviors.
Practically, this means if he loves to chase squirrels and you give him a treat and then let him chase a squirrel, he'll start to love the treat too. Or giving him a lower value treat and then a piece of steak will eventually increase the value of the lower value treat.
As for other ways of increasing food motivation, I would recommend not free-feeding (if you are) and giving him a limited time to eat. If he comes to realize that food is a limited commodity, it will be become more valuable. You might also double check to see if he's getting the right amount of food. I'm not suggesting you starve him, but if he's full, you'll need to use something else like a toy for rewarding. (At least for a husky. Other breeds may always have room for more.)
You can also try using his meal as a reward. If he's hungry and expecting his meal, he may be more willing to work.
Finally, don't forget about simple boiled chicken, string cheese, or more exotic treats such as alligator.
Answered By - jeffaudio