Canadians are deeply attached to their dogs and cats. At Oven-Baked Tradition, we have been sharing this passion for a long time and we put all our know-how in the conception of a healthy food that allows your pets to grow old and healthy by your side. After all, they are great companions. They share your joys and they bring you comfort when things get a bit tougher.
Teaching your dog or cat a trick is much more than just a fun exercise. It is an excellent way to mentally stimulate your companion, strengthen your bond, and encourage positive behaviors every day. With a positive reinforcement approach, training becomes an enjoyable experience for both your pet and yourself.
Make it happen! Teaching your dog or cat a trick is easy when you use the right method, the right rewards, and a little patience. In this article, discover three simple and effective tips to successfully teach a trick while respecting your animal’s pace and well-being.
Why Teach Your Dog or Cat a Trick?
Teaching your dog or cat a trick is much more than just entertainment. Training helps mentally stimulate your pet, build their confidence, and improve communication between you. When based on positive reinforcement, learning becomes a powerful tool to support your companion’s emotional and behavioral well-being.
In fact, it’s even scientifically proven: our moods have a scent that they perceive effortlessly. From our side, the task is a little more complicated because we have to decode our animal’s behaviour. Fortunately, modern literature is giving us more and more information on this topic, which allows us to quickly tame our companion without unnecessarily increasing its stress level. To learn more about the positive reinforcement approach, check out our dedicated article here.
A good way to get to know your pet better is to teach it a trick. The few minutes you’ll spend every day on this task will help you strengthen the bond between you and your dog or cat. Of course, you are not in any way encouraged to turn your pet into a circus animal. No, you are rather welcome to stimulate your pet by engaging in play with it, and above all by showing love and patience. If these three conditions are met during training, you’ll be able to teach your little friend a trick or two. Naturally, some tricks are more difficult to master than others, so the key to success is to start with the basic moves. If your dog refuses to sit down when you ask it to, it’s unlikely it will learn to play dead!
By starting with simple and accessible exercises, you set your pet up for success. Each small achievement boosts their motivation and desire to learn while keeping the experience positive. This gradual progression, respectful of your pet’s pace, makes learning both lasting and enjoyable for everyone.
Learn how to train your companion in three easy steps
Tip #1: Use Appropriate and Motivating Rewards
Trainers will tell you: your pet is engaged in its training when its efforts are rewarded with treats and encouragement. So when you start training, remember to fill your pockets with plenty of treats. At Oven-Baked Tradition, we prepare a wide range of treats, each one more delicious than the other. Each treat is designed to be healthy, nutritious, and easy to give during training, so your dog or cat stays motivated while enjoying a snack that supports their overall health.
Simple Tips:
- Vary treats according to the exercise and the difficulty level of the trick.
- Use small portions to avoid excess calories.
- Combine food rewards with verbal praise or petting to reinforce learning.
For Dogs: Treats Suitable for Every Dog
For dogs, we offer a wide range of treats designed to meet all needs and preferences. Our products include multiple protein sources, some of which are hypoallergenic or chicken-free, making them ideal for sensitive dogs or those with food intolerances.
The range also includes treats with or without grains, depending on your dog’s preference and tolerance. For every type of training, we offer various shapes and textures of treats, suitable for all dogs and skill levels, from simple tricks to more complex exercises.
This makes it easy to keep your dog motivated while taking care of their health and taste enjoyment.
Nutritious Rewards to Keep Your Cat Motivated
At Oven-Baked Tradition, we offer a wide range of cat treats designed to be tasty, nutritious, and easy to use during training or as a daily reward. Our treats come in different forms, including fillet or puree, and are 100% grain-free, making them perfect for rewarding your cat while supporting digestion and catering to food sensitivities.
This variety allows every cat to enjoy a pleasant experience tailored to their preferences while contributing to their overall well-being and health. By combining these treats with verbal praise or petting, you maximize training effectiveness while strengthening the bond with your companion.
Tip #2: Choose a Calm and Distraction-Free Environment
The place where you train your dog or cat plays a crucial role in the success of learning. A calm, safe, and distraction-free environment allows your companion to fully focus on the exercises and more easily associate the reward with the desired behavior.
For the first sessions, choose a location where:
- there is minimal noise or foot traffic,
- other animals or children will not interrupt the training,
- your companion feels safe and comfortable.
Even a few minutes in an appropriate space is enough for your pet to learn a new trick without stress. Once the commands are well established, you can gradually introduce distractions to reinforce obedience in different contexts while keeping the experience positive and motivating.
Practical tip: If you train indoors, choose a non-slip surface to prevent accidents. For dogs, a mat or defined space can help mark the training area. For cats, use a stable surface where they can stay focused on the treat or toy.
Tip #3: Favor Short, Positive, and Regular Sessions
To make learning a trick effective, it is important to respect your pet’s pace. Sessions should be short, just a few minutes at a time, several times a day if possible, to maintain attention and prevent fatigue or frustration.
Consistency is key. Practicing a little each day allows your dog or cat to gradually learn the commands and stay motivated. Always end sessions on a success by offering a reward and praise so that the experience remains enjoyable and positive.
To prevent boredom and mentally stimulate your companion, vary the exercises while staying patient and consistent, as every animal learns at their own pace. Combine food rewards with petting or verbal encouragement to strengthen your bond and facilitate learning.
By following these principles, each session becomes a shared moment of enjoyment and helps your companion learn new tricks without stress and with confidence.
Learning a Trick, a Winning Game for You and Your Companion
Teaching your dog or cat a trick is much more than just entertainment. By using appropriate rewards, a calm environment, and short, regular sessions, you create an enjoyable learning experience that strengthens your bond and stimulates your pet’s mind.
At Oven-Baked Tradition, our healthy and delicious treats support every step of training and allow you to reward your dog or cat in a motivating and caring way. Incorporating these tips into your daily routine turns learning into a true winning game for both you and your pet.
Just below, explore our selection of treats for dogs and cats, designed to make each training session even more motivating and enjoyable.
Discover our treats and find a retailer near you to make every training session easier and more fun!
