Scientific Study Actually Proves Dogs Prefer Praise to Food!

When it comes to choosing between a treat or praise from their human parent, dogs prefer praise, a recent study has found. This affirms what Don Sullivan has promoted since he began his career in 1986: dogs don’t need food in order to be motivated to comply. And, by using praise versus food, you eliminate the numerous serious problems associated with treat training (see the comparison chart below).

Don Sullivan's Secrets to Training the Perfect Dog® system is based on The DogFather® Method which emphasizes the following:

1. Best rewards: praise, play, affection, and freedom.

2. Best results: achieving the highest possible standard of obedience in order to maximize the quality of the relationship between dog and owner.

The DogFather® Method:
Why it works…

If your dog could talk…

Your dog did not have a choice who he went home with. The quality of life he will receive rests solely in your hands, and those of your household. But, beware you don’t let your desire for the “warm fuzzies” of a canine companion distort your outlook on dog ownership. Take care you do not confuse your dog’s wagging tail and pleading eyes (as you wave that juicy tidbit in front of his nose) with “love.” If you do, you will be “loving” him into a sentence of life on a leash, and possibly a host of other impositions and exclusions.

If you truly love your dog then you will search beyond your own humanistic instincts and ideals and learn what it takes to give your dog the best life possible, from his point of view. If you asked your dog what he craves most, he would eagerly answer.

“FREEDOM! Freedom to be with you and the family wherever you go, without always being tied to that silly string you call a leash. I want to hang out in the yard (even though it’s not fenced) while you mow the lawn and wash the car. I need to chase the ball and romp with the other dogs at the park, not to walk around the block a few times which hardly gets me warmed up. I want to wander and enjoy all those awesome smells as we stroll around the lake together without you calling me every 5 seconds, fearing I’ll run away. I’d love to be there at the all parties, barbecues, and dinners instead of being locked away in the laundry. I’d love to be a part of family vacations, camping trips, and weekend outings. Hey, I even want to carry the mail for you when we fetch it together from the mailbox!”

To most dog owners, this kind of life would seem like a far out fantasy. Yet, it’s actually within everyone’s grasp. New dog owners tend to only look as far as their neighbors or the local pet store class when visualizing dog training results, so that becomes their benchmark. Thus the trend perpetuates, creating low expectations in the minds of dog owners nationwide. What you need to do is look through a canine lens instead. Let’s face it, a mother dog does not use leashes, baby gates and bags of cookies, yet her pups are wholly devoted to her; there is order and harmony within her pack, and love abounds. You too can achieve the same, if you follow her perfect, God-ordained example.

Sit.

Come.

& so much more!

Stay.

Down.

Treat Training vs. The DogFather® Method

CLICK HERE for training comparison chart

"A righteous man regards the life of his beast..."

(Proverbs 12:10)

The goal we should all have in training our dogs is to trust them to respond to our instruction and act responsibly (under any amount of distraction or temptation, and in any situation inside or outside the home) without needing to be leashed, restrained, or bribed with food. This is true obedience, and with an effective training method that taps into the common core nature that all canines share, it can achieved for all dogs - regardless of the dog's breed, age, instinct, intellect, personality, or past history. 

Even in communities with strict leash laws*, I still encourage this goal because unexpected and unwanted things always happen that a leash simply can't solve, and you're not going to use a leash in your home which is where an unruly dog can cause the most havoc! The presence of a leash doesn't suddenly make a dog immune to bad behavior, and treat bribery might only get the attention of your dog for a moment. 

What you need is a program that transforms the "whole" dog; one that completely rehabilitates your dog from the inside out, creating a brand new set of behavioral defaults (positive ones!) within his nature. This is when dog ownership really gets exciting and thoroughly rewarding. 

When the training builds such a strong bond of mutual respect, trust, and enjoyment, everybody wins. Your dog can completely rest in your capable, confident, loving leadership. You can confidently give your canine pal the kind of life he craves and deserves because he's proven that he can exercise self-control. And, your neighbors and the community at large can appreciate your safe, happy, healthy, and incredibly well-behaved dog. Everyone has a great life!

- Don Sullivan, "The DogFather" 

* Please obey leash laws, but wherever possible, reward your dog with freedom.

The proof is in the results!

The proof is in the results!