Mat training a dog

It seems pooches will do nearly anything for a treat-even sit how and where you want them to ... with enough coaxing. But you can take the guess work out of the process with expert training.

More treat talk

Tricks for treats: How to train pets for a Fear-Free veterinary experience.

Mikkel Becker has advice on how to put the treat in treatment.

Use treats to ease into a nail trim.

In this video Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Mikkel Becker, CPDT, gets into the intricacies and pacing of reward delivery.

"What we want to do is reward interest in (the mat). It may just be starting to move toward it. Ideally I want to get (the dog) down," she says.

Watch the video for a thorough demonstration and listen for input from Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM (companion animals).

(Also, bonus footage of good boys and girls on their mats!)