What’s the problem with luring your dog?

Luring a dog just means guiding them to do what you want by using something they really want. Food usually works best.

Use something small, soft, and not crumbly.

Get your dog’s attention

Hold the treat right at their nose so they can smell it.

Move the treat slowly where you want your dog to go.

Sit: move the treat up and slightly back over their head

Down: move the treat from their nose straight down to the floor

Come: show the treat and take a few steps backward

Spin: move the treat in a circle around their head

✅ What’s good about it:

The initial stages are fast and easy to teach, the handler feels like they have a small win and it’s an easy way for beginner dog owners to teach great basic behaviours.

It minimises frustration for the dog because the information is clear.

Helps build confidence in new learners - dog and human.

Highly effective for positioning the dog precisely.

❌ What’s Bad

Dog may become dependent on the lure if it’s not faded quickly. People can struggle to fade the lure correctly.

Requires handler skill to avoid always bribing or needing to see the food to respond.

Less effective for complex behaviours or ones that can’t be physically guided.

It’s not the best way to help dog’s problem solving and creativity compared to shaping (more on that later!)

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