Training Treats

why should i use treats when training my dog?

Treats make it really easy to teach new behaviours because most dogs will follow a treat on their nose - so you can show them what behaviour you want and reward them for it. Every time you reward your dog for a behaviour, you add value to that behaviour

What are "High Value" Dog Treats

High-value treats tend to be moist or freeze-dried, extra smelly, and something your dog doesn't get very often (if at all) outside of training sessions. Think of your high-value treats as giving your dog an "A+++" for behavior and training.

When should you use "High Value" Treats
  • When first introducing a brand new behavior
  • In highly distracting environments, such as a group dog training class
  • When rewarding your dog for a quick or high-quality response to a cue
  • During important socialization and proactive exposure training for puppies
  • If working on counter conditioning as part of a behavior modification plan for leash reactivity, aggression, anxiety, or fear

What are "Medium Value" Dog Treats

These treats are usually semi-moist or dry treats made from ingredients that your dog doesn't get in their regular food. Medium value treats and are given more frequently during training sessions and in everyday routines than high-value treats.

When should you use "Medium" Value Treats
  • When maintaining an already learned behavior
  • In mildly distracting environments
  • Throughout the day for good behavior
  • As part of regular enrichment activities

What are "Low Value" Dog Treats

Lower value treats are great to work into your training because they tend to be lower calorie than high and medium value dog treats. Low-value treats are usually dry and crunchy. Myself and many of my clients use our dog's regular food for this level of treating. Having a low-value treat option is important in helping you fade out treats in training.

When should you use "Low Value" Treats
  • If your dog performs a requested and previously generalized cue, but it's a "C" grade performance (this also might indicate that your dog needs to be further from a distraction or might need to go back a few steps in training)
  • Throughout the day to encourage continued good behavior
  • In low to no distraction training environments
  • As part of regular enrichment activities
  • When you're working on fading out the use of treats for a specific behavior

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