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Should You Use Treats to Train Your Dog? The Why, How, and Benefits
Should You Use Treats to Train Your Dog?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I really give my dog treats when I teach them something?”, the answer is a resounding yes—and the science backs it up.
Treats, when used correctly, are one of the most effective ways to teach new behaviors and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Beyond shaping behavior, food rewards also play a major role in your dog’s emotional experience during training.
Let’s explore why treats work, how they impact your dog’s learning and emotions, and how pairing treats with clicker training can supercharge your results.
The Science Behind Treats: Why They Work
Dogs, like all animals, are motivated by rewards. Giving treats during training taps into their natural reward system and uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors.
Here’s what the science says:
- Rewards Release Dopamine
Studies have shown that rewarding behaviors with food releases dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, in a dog’s brain. This chemical surge creates positive emotions and makes the learning experience enjoyable and memorable. - Clear Communication Through Immediate Feedback
When your dog receives a treat immediately after performing the behavior, it creates a strong association: “This action gets me something great!” This process, known as operant conditioning (Skinner, 1938), allows dogs to quickly connect actions with rewards. - Positive Emotional Responses
Treat-based training fosters a sense of confidence and safety. Instead of worrying about punishment or failure, dogs feel motivated to participate and experiment.
Treats, Behaviors, and Cues: How They Work Together
In positive reinforcement training, we focus on teaching behaviors using cues—verbal, physical, or auditory signals that tell the dog what we’re asking for.
Here’s how treats fit into this:
- Teaching New Behaviors
Let’s say you’re teaching your dog to settle on a mat. The moment your dog steps onto the mat, you use a clicker to mark the behavior, followed immediately by a treat. The click marks the exact moment of success, while the treat reinforces the behavior. - Pairing Behaviors With Cues
Once the behavior is reliable, you can add a cue—like a word (“settle”), hand signal, or non-verbal sound. Over time, your dog will understand: “When I hear or see this cue, I do the behavior, and great things happen!” - Building Reliability
Treats motivate dogs to repeat behaviors. As they become fluent in a behavior, you can reduce food rewards and mix in praise, play, or other reinforcers to keep it exciting.
The Emotional Benefits of Food Rewards
Training is about more than shaping behaviors—it’s about building a positive emotional connection. Treat-based training creates:
- Joy and Excitement
Dogs learn to see training as a fun game where success is always rewarded. - Trust and Confidence
By rewarding good choices, you help your dog feel safe and understood. This trust deepens your bond. - A Stress-Free Learning Experience
Food rewards eliminate frustration and confusion. Dogs know exactly what they did right and feel motivated to try again.
Treats + Clicker Training: A Perfect Pair
Clicker training takes treat-based training to the next level by offering precise, clear communication.
- The Click Marks the Behavior
The clicker acts as a bridge, pinpointing the exact moment your dog succeeds. - The Treat Reinforces the Behavior
The treat follows the click, creating a clear “click = reward” connection. - The Result? Clearer Learning
Clicker training paired with treats eliminates guesswork for your dog and creates a positive, enjoyable training experience.
Science has shown that dogs trained with positive reinforcement are not only more motivated but also less stressed and more confident learners compared to those trained with punishment-based methods (Hiby, Rooney, & Bradshaw, 2004).
Won’t My Dog Always Expect Treats?
This is a common concern, but don’t worry—your dog won’t need treats forever. Treats act like “training paychecks” when teaching a new behavior. Once the behavior is reliable, you can reduce treats and replace them with praise, play, or life rewards (like a game of tug or a walk).
Remember, occasional treats keep behaviors strong and reinforce the joy of learning.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start
With the holidays and winter season in full swing, treat-based training is a great way to:
- Teach calm, polite behaviors when guests visit.
- Keep your dog mentally stimulated during shorter days or colder weather.
- Build focus and trust in an environment full of distractions.
Treats and positive reinforcement help you turn training into a joyful experience that brings you and your dog closer together.
Every treat you give during training is more than a snack—it’s a celebration of your dog’s success, a confidence boost, and a step toward a joyful, trusting partnership.
Let’s make training something your dog loves, one treat (and click) at a time.
I'd Love to Hear From You!
Do you use treats in training? What’s your dog’s favorite reward?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences—drop a comment below and let’s celebrate those small wins together!
Be the First to Know When My 5-Day Dog Focus Challenge Launches!
If you’re excited to learn more about positive reinforcement, building focus, and strengthening your bond with your dog, I’m creating a Free 5-Day Dog Focus Challenge just for you!
I’m still putting the finishing touches on it, but it’s coming soon. Want to be the first to know when it launches?
Click the button below to stay in the loop and join the waitlist. I can’t wait to share this with you and your dog!
I help busy dog owners create engaging, home-based exercise routines to foster healthier, happier pets and stronger bonds—all through choice-based, positive reinforcement training.
Chantal Beaupré 🐾 ❤️ 🐾
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