Hook, Line, and Canine: Learning the Art of Baiting and Luring!

Posted on by Pamela Molina

Dog owners can make use of the technique known as baiting and luring to influence their dog’s behavior. By using treats or toys as a reward, owners can establish cues that encourage dogs to follow their lead. This can be particularly helpful in teaching new commands as well as correcting unwanted behavior in the future.

Baiting involves using a treat/reward to lure the dog into a desired position while luring involves using a treat or object to guide the dog into position. To bait a dog, hold a treat in front of its nose and slowly move it towards the desired position until the dog follows. The treat/reward acts as a magnet to your hand. By using this technique, you can control the dog’s movements by simply controlling the head since the body follows. By mastering this fundamental technique, it is possible to effectively train your dog to be more obedient, responsive, and well-behaved. With patience and consistency, baiting and luring can be a valuable asset for any dog owner looking to train their dog.

Here are a few examples of how to bait and lure your dog into some positions or behaviors with the help of Metztli demonstrating how we can bait and lure her. Her reward in the examples is just some Freshpet chicken roll meat.

Sit

To bait a dog into a sit, hold a treat just above the dog’s nose and slowly move it back towards their ears above their head. As the dog follows the treat, they will naturally lower their rear end into a sitting position, as Metztli demonstrates.

Down

Hold a treat in your hand and get the dog’s attention, you can lure them into a sit if they aren’t already sitting. Slowly move your hand down towards the ground, I usually tell my handlers to envision an imaginary line from the dog’s mouth straight to the ground. It’s important to not pull your hands towards you, this will result in the dog moving towards you rather than downwards.

Spin

Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose. Slowly move the treat in a circular motion, getting closer to the dog’s body. As the dog follows the treat in a circle, continue to move it in the same direction until the dog completes a full circle. Immediately give the dog the treat. Repeat and try the other direction as well for fun!

Luring onto a Platform

Position the place cot in a visible but accessible location, and use a treat to lure your dog toward the platform. I like having the dog walk alongside me to help reduce sideway entries. Once your dog approaches the platform simply hold the lure above slowly the platform until all four paws are on. Then wash rinse and repeat to help your dog understand it’s the four paws on that matters.

Baiting and luring your dog is a vital aspect of dog training. This technique helps to build a foundation for nearly all commands. Start by experimenting with various treats or toys to understand what your dog prefers. Have fun with it and you might discover some new tricks!

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Published by Pamela Molina