8 Things to Consider Before Using Food During Your Dog’s Training Session

1. Assess the Environment

• Is your dog overstimulated by noises, people, or other animals?
• A chaotic setting can make treats less effective or detrimental to your training goals.

2. Note Your Dog's Mental State

• Are they anxious, excited, or calm?
• If they're too wound up, food might not help, it can amp them up even more.

3. Clarify Your Goal

• Why are you using food in this scenario?
• Are you reinforcing a behavior, luring them into position, or building focus?
• Being clear on your goal prevents treats from turning into a bribe.

4. Think About What the Food Is Doing

• Food is a stimulant: it can hype your dog up. In some cases that's helpful; in others, not so much.
• The real relationship comes from effective communication from the handler, not just rewards.

5. Potential Pitfalls

• Bribery: when treats become the only reason your dog listens.
• Wrong timing: rewarding at the wrong moment could reinforce unwanted behaviors.
• Escalating problems: if your dog is already fixated or overstimulated, food might make the issue worse.

6. Remember the Bigger Picture

• Balanced training means using multiple tools: food, praise, play, structure, and sometimes corrective feedback.
• Every dog is different. What works for one might not work for another, so plan accordingly.

7. Explore Your Toolbox

• Learn the science behind training and training tools.
• There's more out there than just treats, don't limit yourself if something else might serve your dog better.
• The goal is to find a method that suits your dog's mind, spirit, and emotions.

8. Remember: Mindset, Relationship, and Communication Matter Most

• Understanding dog psychology is valuable to understanding your dog.
• The best tool in your toolbox is learning how to communicate in a way that makes sense to your dog.