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 is most important
Understanding dog psychology is valuable to understanding your dog
The best tools in your tool box is learning how to communicate in a way that makes sense to your dog
Need More Help?To learn more about all the tools available for you and your dog—and how and when to best use them—reach out to us today! We’ll help you create a customized plan that keeps your dog’s unique needs front and center.
Stay Pawsitive,
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