The power and importance of treats

Treats are one of (if not the) quickest and surest ways to condition a dog. I’m not just talking about training actions like sit, stay, come, etc. I mean overall conditioning and development of a dog’s personality.

Dogs don't just like treats — they live for them. Treats are:

• Positive reinforcement (learning what to do)

• Emotional bonding (expressing love, praise, and affection)

• Motivation (getting them excited to engage)

• A reward system (similar but distinct from positive reinforcement - it’s the framework for motivation and incentives)

I think the closest parallel for humans to dogs and treats is pay, and usually when we use dog treats we add in praise. So instead of treats being like a paycheck, it’s more like a parent taking a kid to get ice cream after doing her homework. There’s a whole experience to be had and it's a unique time to communicate.

My dog, Lupin, is very food motivated and we have so much fun with it. Whether its freeze-dried Doggo Discs, donut holes (yes, I think some human treats for high value occasionally is alright), hot Cheetos (or Takis), or a microwaved bone treat (so fun to watch them dance around it, batting it to cool it off. If your dog is on the less intelligent side or just really hungry, make sure it doesn’t bite into it right away), Lupin gets in the zone when the treats come out.

One of my favorite parts is how after a training or engagement session, he wants to put his paws up on my shoulders and hug, and holds me there with his paws. The whole experience of using treats to bond, learn, and communicate creates an energy between me and Lupin that goes beyond the paycheck of a treat in the mouth; it’s a main way to tell him “You’re doing a good job. You’re doing the right thing. I’m pleased with you.” And then we cuddle 🙂

I plan to add more in-depth blogs on treats, but just wanted to get these thoughts out there to start!