Dog Training with Treats
Dog training with treats is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to teach your pup good behavior. Using treats as positive reinforcement helps dogs associate training with something enjoyable, making them more likely to learn quickly and obey commands. Whether you’re working on basic obedience, advanced tricks, or behavioral corrections, treats can be an invaluable tool when used correctly.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why treat-based training works, how to use treats effectively, common mistakes to avoid, and where in the Bay Area to get the best dog treats for your pup.
Why Dog Training with Treats Works
Treat-based training uses positive reinforcement, a method that rewards good behavior in order to make that behavior more likely to occur in the future. When a dog receives a treat for following a command, they associate that action with something pleasurable and are more likely to repeat it.
Benefits of Dog Training with Treats:
✔ Increases motivation: Most dogs are naturally food-driven, making treats a powerful incentive.
A young German Shepherd dog is focused and interested in training.
✔ Speeds up learning: Rewards create strong associations between behaviors and outcomes.
✔ Strengthens the bond with your dog: Your dog develops a positive association with you through training.
✔ Encourages focus and engagement: Treats keep your dog interested in training sessions.
How to Use Treats Effectively
While treats are a fantastic training aid, they need to be used strategically. Here’s how to get the most out of treat-based training:
1. Choose the Right Treats
The best training treats are small, soft, and highly appealing to your dog. Some great options include:
• Small pieces of chicken, turkey, or cheese >> Tip: don’t use chicken or turkey that is shredded or falls apart easy!
• Freeze-dried food like Stella and Chewy Meal Mixers, Vital Essentials Nibs and Mini Nibs, and Primal Toppers
• Wisdom Air-dried dog food >> Note: they can be a little hard and chewy for little teething puppies!
Avoid large or hard treats that take too long to chew, as they can disrupt training flow.
I love to buy my dog treats at local Pet Food Express stores, because they are buy 3, get the 4th free!
2. Use Treats for Immediate Rewards
Timing is crucial in dog training. Always reward immediately (within a second or two) after your dog performs the desired behavior. This helps them make the correct association between the action and the reward.
3. Keep Treats Randomized
Once your dog has learned a behavior, start rewarding intermittently. Instead of giving a treat every single time, mix it up with verbal praise, petting, or a toy. This keeps your dog engaged without becoming treat-dependent. >> Note: If your dog is expecting a food reward, and you go to pet them, they may find that to be aversive—even if they usually love petting! If you move your hand towards them and they move away, that is a sign that when they are expecting a food reward, they don’t want pets.
4. Pair Treats with Verbal Praise and Hand Signals
Treats should complement other forms of communication, not replace them. Always pair treats with a verbal cue like “Good job!” or “Yes!” so that over time, your dog learns to respond even without food rewards.
5. Use Treats in Different Environments
Training your dog in different environments can build their confidence and focus.
Dogs don’t generalize well, so a behavior learned at home might not translate to the park. Practice training in different locations to reinforce commands in various settings. This is especially true when you are socializing your dog out and about in the Bay Area, or if you have a puppy who is fearful or reactive.
If your dog is not super food motivated, or has some anxiety, you may need to increase the value of your treats when you train in new locations, and you may also need to skip your pup’s breakfast before you take them out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid when Dog Training with Treats
1. Overfeeding
Too many treats can lead to weight gain. Use small treats and adjust your dog’s daily food intake accordingly. Learning how to assess your dog’s body condition will help you keep them at a healthy weight.
2. Using Treats as a Bribe
If your dog only obeys when they see a treat, you’ve trained them to respond to seeing you have the food, not the command. Hold treats out of sight and bring out the reward only after your dog completes the behavior.
3. Rewarding Bad Behavior
Giving a treat to a barking or jumping dog can reinforce unwanted behavior. Only reward calm, desirable actions. This also means that if you take your dog to a Bay Area dog park, and neighbors give your dogs treats for jumping on them, that can undermine your training!
4. Not Phasing Out and Randomizing Rewards
Once a behavior is solid, reduce treat frequency and randomize when you reward your dog. This will create persistence to do the behavior and minimize dependence on the food reward.
Final Thoughts on Dog Training with Treats
Training with treats is a simple yet powerful way to teach your dog good manners and new skills. By using high-value treats strategically and reinforcing commands consistently, you’ll create a well-behaved, eager-to-learn pup.
At Dog Training Together, we specialize in balanced, reward-based, training for dogs of all breeds and ages. If you’re in the Bay Area and need professional dog training services, contact us today!
Happy training!
