Training & Behavior
Should You Use Treats in Training?
Treats are a tool, not a crutch — used well, they speed up learning considerably; used poorly, they can create a dog that only obeys when food is visible.
Why Treats Work So Well
Food is one of the most reliably motivating rewards available, making it an efficient way to mark and reinforce a new behavior in its earliest stages, when a dog doesn’t yet understand what’s being asked.
Fading the Treats Over Time
Once a behavior is learned, gradually reducing treat frequency — replacing many with praise or play — prevents a dog from learning to ignore commands when no food is in sight.
Choosing the Right Treat
Small, soft, quick-to-eat treats keep training moving; something a dog has to chew for a while breaks focus and slows the session down.
Did You Know?
Variable reward schedules — treating inconsistently once a behavior is learned — tend to produce more durable, reliable responses than treating every single time.
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