Still today, people worry about giving their dogs treats and see this as bribery. Giving dogs treats isn't only a kind thing to do and the bank account analogy (I'll briefly refresh - the bank account analogy is every dog has a bank account. When we pay our dogs with treats the account fills, which means we are making not only a payment to our dog like we do for work but we are also forming an association of training means treats, which is likely to encourage the dog to repeat the behaviour again). For me personally knowing that when our dogs see us, we give them treats or verbal praise, an area of their brain lights up is absolutely amazing. Not only does this area of the brain light up but the dog recalls these memories and the process of learning. The limbic system is a beautiful and complex part of the brain. Which must be treated with care and respect. The limbic system can control and influence emotions like joy, happiness and excitement. But the darker side of the limbic system is that it also controls fear, anxiety, aggression and sadly this area of the brain can overtake the dogs thinking and decision making part of the brain which causes a dog to feel overwhelmed, stressed, bite or depressed. For me personally I would much rather know that everytime dogs experience something good, their brain lights up and how beautiful that is. Rather than ever putting dogs in a position where their brain chemistry is altered through a negative or aversive experience. So there we have it, science, in its beautiful simplicity with a magical piece of knowledge about the wonder that is dogs. #dogs #dogbehavior #cookiepusher #positivereinforcement #forcefree #science #dogtraining https://www.instagram.com/p/ClPOEinoVn9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=