Praise as effective as doggy titbits

30 August 2016 - 09:27 By TANYA FARBER

Ask dog trainers about the tools of their trade and they are likely to whip out a bag of biscuits or meaty chunks.The same goes for many pet owners, who believe there is nothing like a bit of boerewors to get a pesky pet to obey.But a new study has found that some dogs respond more readily to praise than to food - and the researchers have the doggy brain scans to prove it.Emory University scientist Peter Cook and his team investigated whether dogs preferred treats to praise and if their choices could be predicted by analysing how their brains responded to both stimuli.Half the dogs chose praise over food, and the scans gave a reliable indication of what the preferences would be.Cook said: "Based on these findings, we suggest that there is consistent neurobiological orientation towards social and food reward within individual dogs, but the degree of preference may be highly variable between individuals."Whether and how breed, rearing and genetic profile might influence this apparently stable neurobehavioural preference are questions for further study."Commenting for online publication The Bark, Karen London said pet owners should not assume that "belly rubs are more effective than treats" in training.Dogs share love of affirmation with some of their best friends - humans.Gary Chapman, the author who made a name for himself defining "the five different love languages" of humans, described one type - affirmation - as follows: "One way to express love emotionally is to use words that build up."Verbal compliments or words of appreciation are powerful communicators of love. They are best expressed in straightforward statements of affirmation."So never mind saying something like: "It gives me great satisfaction to spend an afternoon in your glorious company." A less verbose affirmation such as "good boy" could be enough to achieve the positive emotional response you want.If not, you better head out and buy those treats...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.