Blog Treats vs. Toys: Which Positive Reward Drives Your Dog Wild?

Dog treats are a popular positive reinforcement for dog training. It is as if the treats have some power. Not all dogs are motivated by a food reward, and treats are not always available. There are other things to use as a reward. The best dog handlers use various rewards that tap into a dog’s drive to keep them responsive, motivated, and ready to work.

The Use of a Nonfood Reward

Dog training treats are an essential tool in dog sports. It is critical to use food as a reward in the early stages of training. Pet owners should gradually wean treat usage as dogs start to understand the lessons. You only use treats occasionally to mark good behavior.

It is also essential to recognize dogs when they make good choices. Nonfood rewards are simple to use, mainly if dogs are not food-motivated. Rewarding dogs with an alternative helps keep them motivated during training sessions.

Types of Nonfood Rewards

Consider what the dog finds rewarding before incorporating creative rewards into a dog or puppy’s life. The best reward is specific to the dog. There are universal favorites, but most dogs prefer to use them in training and daily life.

A game of fetch can rank as high as a treat for a ball-driven dog. A fetch-indifferent dog will not consider a tossed tennis ball a reward. The best reward is a specific toy that makes the dog excited.

Introducing Nonfood Rewards

You can incorporate creative rewards into a dog’s daily life or formal training plan. However, be aware that every reward does not fit every scenario. For example, you should dole treats until after a dog completes a task, such as a polite leash walking session, at the end of obedience training, or during a recall.

Getting Started

The following are five creative reward suggestions. Think about what makes the dog happy to personalize the reward. They include:

• Praise
• Toy rewards
• Petting
• Games
• Permission to sniff

Praise should come naturally. It is easy to shower a pup with encouraging words when they do something good. Praise can be for something as basic as going potty outdoors. Commenting on the dog’s wonderful choices is an excellent way to strengthen your bond and keep your furry friend on the right path.

Most dogs rate toy rewards high on the reward scale. Choose the type of toy food-motivated dogs love most. Toy motivation can be a plush toy to destroy or cuddle with. Others enjoy fetching a tennis ball or playing tug with a rope as their toy drive. Toys are easy to use in various circumstances, making them strong alternatives to treats.

Most dogs love a massage session. It is essential to make sure the dog enjoys your touch. If you use petting as a reward during high-drive activities, such as at the end of a challenging recall, you may discover the dog does not appreciate it as much as she used to. When using touch as a reward, check a dog’s feedback.

Show the dog how awesome they are by using a game to rev them up after doing something like running across a dog park when you call them. As soon as the dog reaches you, attempt to play hide-and-seek or have them chase you so they figure out recalls, which end in fun.

Dogs use scent to take in the world. Even though it is a primary way to learn about the world, we sometimes forget it is also a powerful way to reward. If a dog has a pull-free leash-walking session, reward them by taking them to the garbage or a fire hydrant coated with ‘pee-mail.’ Think like a dog when using scent as a reward. Your dog will appreciate it.

Food Rewards for Food-Motivated Dogs

Every dog, regardless of size, sex, breed, or age, responds to two motivators: pursuing pleasure and avoiding displeasure. When treats and food are correctly used, they are powerful tools for motivating a dog during training and occupying it when you are gone.

People do not give much thought to the treats they use. They are unaware of the importance of varying treats used in different applications. Research shows that food can be used as a motivator to create a toy-motivated dog that wants to participate in the learning process, enjoy training, and become a problem solver.

Using treats improves the bond between the handler and the dog. When using food in training, a handler must learn how to do so correctly. Marker or clicker training is the best way. Different dog treats produce different results.

It is essential to learn when and how to use food in dog training and the kind of food to use. Small pieces of hot dogs have been used for years; there is nothing wrong with using them today. However, the quality and number of dog treats available have improved.

An all-natural diet is popular because people recognize that most commercial dog food can be healthier. Dogs fed meat on an all-natural diet will not eat commercial dog food. The popularity of an all-natural diet fueled an explosion of all-natural dog treats.

Motivational Value of Different Treats

There are various all-natural dog treats to choose from. It is essential to have a variety. Your dog may not love the treats you have. Each food drive has its motivational value. Think about the dog’s reaction when using a specific food reward.

Learn to read the dog’s reaction. Some treats are so high in value that they cause the dog to stop thinking and are losers in the long run. The dog cannot focus, knowing you have a high-value treat. Treats that cause a dog to jump and go crazy should not be used as motivation for complex tasks requiring a dog to think.

Different tasks require a dog to focus on what they are doing. They cannot concentrate without thinking about the steak you will give. Reward complex tasks with a mid-level value treat. There is a subtle difference in how dogs react to mid-level treats. Lower-value treats are required for some exercises.

Trainers should know the exercises and be prepared to use the correct value treat that works. If you reward a dog for coming to you when on a walk, a crunchy treat that takes a few seconds to eat is suitable. During training, the treats need to be easy to eat so you can continue the training. Soft treats are ideal for training.

Using Food in Treat Toys

You can load toys with dog treats. Treat-dispensing chew balls are an excellent example. The opening size determines the food treat to put in the bag. Smaller treats, like trail mix, dribble out and reward a dog for trying. Larger treats stay in the toy. The tug piques the dog’s interest.

When dogs learn to empty the toy, they often prefer a more challenging treat. You do not want the dog to be discouraged but want them to be occupied. It is a balancing act that requires paying attention to details to choose the right treat toys for a dog.

Zoos devise ways to use food to stimulate an animal’s mind. They hide treats in logs or freeze them in blocks of ice. Suppose you leave a dog in a crate while at work, fill a treat toy with the daily ration of food, and freeze it. It keeps a dog busy for hours. Use your imagination.

Knowing that some treats have a shelf life longer than others is essential. Some become moldy or slimy. Dogs often eat those treats quickly, which is critical for marker training. Think about how to carry treats and how long to keep them in a bait bag or pocket. Some take longer to eat, which affects how and when they are used.

Try Treats Before Training

If your dog is a chow hound, let it sample a treat before training. A product labeled as a dog treat does not guarantee that all dogs will love it. When a dog plays around with a treat used for the first time, it is as if it needs to be convinced that it is indeed a treat.

Changing food rewards keeps the dog interested and motivated to get a different and new treat. After a dog eats and likes a few treats, it down dogs them quicker. Using a new treat when training can cause frustration while waiting for the dog to eat it, breaking the training flow.

When learning about a new treat, the first thing to do is review the ingredients. We tend not to be as critical about dog treats as we are about the main diet. Occasionally, it is okay to allow a bit of doggy junk food, but it should not be used often.

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