Food has been a cornerstone of animal training for millennia, and its effectiveness as a motivator is undeniable. In contemporary dog training, positive reinforcement and clicker training methods are widely adopted, often supported by scientific data. However, the core principle remains simple: dogs are motivated by food, and a hungry dog will often do what it takes to get it. This raises a crucial question: is training a dog with food a good idea? While opinions vary, a balanced, common-sense approach often yields the best results, utilizing food as a tool, particularly during the initial learning phases, but with important considerations.
The Pros and Cons of Food Training
Food training offers several advantages, but it’s essential to be aware of potential drawbacks to mitigate them.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces Resistance | Creates Food Dependency |
| Increases Focus | Causes Over-Stimulation |
| Creates Positive Association | Does Not Build Respect |
The Art of Using Treats Effectively
The key to successful food training lies in maximizing the benefits while minimizing the drawbacks. Positive reinforcement does not equate to permissiveness. Treats are merely one tool among many. Crucially, a behavior must first be established before it can be positively reinforced. It is entirely possible, and often necessary, to gently guide a dog into a desired position while still using food as a reward. Dogs trained solely with food and without any physical guidance may become touch-sensitive, lack respect for their handler, and expect payment for every command. This can lead to an unhealthy relationship and potentially even aggression.
Initially, treats can be used as lures to guide a dog into a position. However, the goal is to transition to expecting the behavior without the lure, providing the treat after the dog performs the action. This shifts the treat from a lure to a reward. The real challenge is to avoid turning the treat into a bribe.
Understanding Lures, Bribes, and Rewards
- Lure: A lure is used exclusively for teaching new behaviors and should be phased out quickly. For instance, holding a treat in front of a dog’s nose and moving it over their head to encourage a sit is a lure.
- Reward: A reward is given after a desired behavior is performed. If you say “Sit,” your dog sits, and you then give them the food, that is a reward. If you used a lure to get the sit, giving the food afterward also makes it a reward. Similarly, if you physically guide your dog into a sit and then give them food, it’s a reward.
- Bribe: A bribe occurs when you say “Sit,” your dog hesitates, and you then pull out and show a treat, prompting them to sit. This creates a “pay me” mentality, often referred to as a “Show Me the Money” dog, which is detrimental to training and a primary reason some trainers avoid food altogether.
Avoiding the “Show Me the Money” Syndrome
To prevent your dog from becoming a “pay me” dog, simply avoid the bribe. Luring is effective because it allows the dog to think and figure out the behavior themselves, which is powerful. Simultaneously, it’s vital that dogs learn to accept gentle physical guidance into position. A comprehensive training approach utilizes both methods, with food serving as a reward for both. Once a dog understands a command, you can say it and wait a second or two. If they don’t comply, gently guide them into position. This reinforces that they understand the command even when you don’t have food visible. Over time, they learn that listening to you is beneficial and, ultimately, non-negotiable. This is the essence of obedience – commands, not requests. It is rewarding but also mandatory.
The Necessity of Food in Training
You are not required to use food indefinitely or even at all for dog training. However, some form of motivation is essential. Even traditional “yank and crank” methods utilize motivation, albeit negative motivation. While corrections have their place, it is generally preferable for dogs to work for positive outcomes rather than solely to avoid negative ones. Consider the difference between a child motivated to achieve an “A” versus one motivated to avoid an “F.” Early training, whether for children or dogs, often involves more tangible rewards like praise, stars, or treats. This fosters a love for learning and leads to greater accomplishments.
For dogs, while food is a powerful motivator, other rewards like affection, a favorite toy, or a game of fetch can also be highly effective. The key is to make the training process rewarding for both the dog and yourself. Many trainers, like myself, continue to use food as a reward, not out of necessity for every action, but intermittently to maintain engagement.
Gradually Weaning Off Treats
The process of “weaning” your dog off constant treats is gradual. As training progresses, expectations increase. Initially, a treat is given immediately after a sit. Then, it’s given after the dog holds the sit for a short duration. Subsequently, a treat is delivered after a “sit-stay” command. Eventually, behaviors can be “chained” or sequenced, with treats becoming less frequent.
Conditioning Verbal Praise and Affection
Verbal praise like “Good Dog” is not inherently rewarding to a dog. Similarly, while many dogs enjoy petting, some do not. However, most dogs respond well to food, especially when hungry. By pairing treats with petting and praise, you condition the dog to associate these interactions with positive reinforcement. As training advances, you can reduce the frequency of treats and rely more on praise and affection. Eventually, you may be able to elicit a positive response from a distance with just verbal cues and a wagging tail. At this point, you can choose to eliminate food entirely or use it intermittently. With consistent practice and patience, you won’t need to carry food on every outing; it becomes a bonus, not a requirement.
The Critical Role of Timing
“Timing is everything” is a common adage applicable to many aspects of life, including dog training. Musicians talk about “phrasing,” and dog trainers emphasize “timing.” A nano-second can make the difference between exquisite musical phrasing or avoiding a serious bite. Good timing ensures a dog associates the reward with the correct behavior.
Precise Treat Delivery
The timing of treat delivery is paramount. Since dogs learn through association, it’s crucial they understand precisely what they are being rewarded for. The objective is to reward the behavior, not the release from it. For a “sit” command, the treat should be given while the dog’s rear end is still on the ground, not after they have stood up. Initially, this can be marked with a clicker or a verbal cue as their rear touches the ground.
As you increase the duration of the “sit,” set a time goal, such as five seconds. Ensure this goal is fair to the dog, meaning they are reliably sitting, accepting physical guidance without fuss, and consistently responding to a release command. With these foundations in place, reward the dog at the five-second mark, followed by praise and the release command. It is vital that this sequence is followed precisely, and the dog understands that the reward does not signify release. The treat is given at the goal time, just before the release.
Addressing Challenges in Training
If a dog struggles to hold a sit for the desired duration, two actions are necessary: a fairness check and enforcement. First, assess if the five-second goal is reasonable for the dog given their current progress. If the dog is sitting easily, accepts physical placement, and understands the release command, five seconds should be achievable.
Second, implement enforcement. This means gently reminding the dog that “Positive Does Not Mean Permissive.” While using food, petting, and praise for positive reinforcement, employ physical guidance as a form of enforcement. You must obtain the behavior before rewarding it. If the dog begins to lift their rear end, even slightly, promptly guide them back into the sit position. This may need to happen a few times before you achieve the desired five seconds. Once successful, provide praise, reward, and release.
As you increase the duration—to ten, fifteen, or thirty seconds—always end the training session on a high note, ensuring your dog feels successful and looks forward to future sessions. If a dog is struggling with a particular exercise, revert to an easier variation or a different, known command to end on a positive note. For example, if a dog is having difficulty with a “down” command but excels at “sit,” have them sit for success and return to “down” later. If a thirty-second sit is proving challenging, return to a twenty-second sit. This is not about giving up, but about pacing the training appropriately. Keep sessions fun, remembering that practice, patience, and consistency, coupled with sound technique, are the keys to success. Enjoy the process and take pride in your dog’s progress!
Treat Training Tips and Summary
- Treat Quality: Use small, soft, tasty, and special treats reserved only for training. They should be pea-sized, not a meal replacement, and signify a job well done. Soft treats are quickly consumed, leaving no crumbs.
- Health Conscious: Opt for treats free from grains, sugars, and preservatives, as these can negatively impact a dog’s health and lead to excitability, hindering learning. Real meat-based treats are often the healthiest and most cost-effective option.
- Avoid Bribes: Train to prevent your dog from becoming a “Show Me the Money” dog.
- Hand Feeding: Always deliver treats from your hand, reinforcing that they come from you.
- Pairing: Combine treats with petting and praise to condition verbal rewards and facilitate weaning off treats.
- Treat Bag: Utilize a convenient treat bag clipped to your belt for easy access and better timing. Keep it clean and refrigerated.
- Train When Hungry: Dogs are most motivated to train when they are hungry.
- Calorie Adjustment: If using a significant number of treats, deduct their caloric value from your dog’s regular meals.
- Eliminate Treats If: Treats become a distraction (if they over-excite your dog) or if your dog is not food-motivated (in which case, find an alternative motivator or ensure they are hungry).
Enjoy your training sessions, keeping them upbeat, motivating, and fun for both you and your canine companion.
Chad Culp – Certified Dog Trainer, Canine Behavior Consultant, Owner of Thriving Canine.
© Thriving Canine 2013
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