Teaching through rewards: training your dog using treats

When it comes to training, Pet Waggin’ Pet Care has a simple philosophy: dogs learn best through positive reinforcement (along with a little engagement, enrichment and consistency along the way). 

We could talk about positive reinforcement all day, but essentially it means rewarding behaviors you’d like to see more often. Maybe it’s as simple a behavior as sitting politely, or maybe it’s one that requires a bit more interaction, like exiting calmly for a walk together. 

Whatever the scenario, those moments tell your pup, “Yep, that’s exactly what I’m lookin’ for!” And, over time, those rewarded behaviors become habits.

We’ve outlined some cool things to know about reinforcing positive behaviors and training your dog using treats.

The science behind positive reinforcement

Learning theory has consistently shown behaviors followed by a rewarding consequence are more likely to be repeated. When your dog receives something they value immediately after performing a behavior, they’re more likely to repeat it again. Makes sense, right?

On the other hand, force-based or punishment-based methods — which we don’t recommend — may temporarily suppress unwanted behavior, but won’t teach an appropriate alternative. A dog that stops barking because they’re afraid of being corrected hasn’t necessarily learned to remain calm; they’ve learned that expressing themselves has unpleasant consequences. Without teaching a replacement behavior, the original issue often returns or appears in a different form.

Positive reinforcement helps dogs become confident learners. Instead of avoiding mistakes, they’re encouraged to make good choices because those choices lead to positive outcomes. It’s also a great way to build trust and strengthen the bond between the two of you!

Be sure to read our blog on positive reinforcement and why reward-based training is best for your dog.

Everyday training happens, well, every day

One of the biggest misconceptions about dog training is that it only happens during scheduled sessions. But in our experience, some of the most valuable learning opportunities happen naturally throughout the day.

Did your dog choose to lie down quietly while you’re making dinner? Reward it.

Did they look at you instead of pulling toward another dog on a walk? Reward it.

Did they wait patiently by the door before heading out for a walk? You guessed it: reward it!

These behaviors are perfect opportunities to reinforce the habits you’d love to see become your dog’s default choices.

Your timing is key! The reward should come as close as possible to the behavior you’re reinforcing, ideally within a few seconds. This helps your dog clearly connect the reward with what they just did, making learning faster and more effective. Waiting too long can make it unclear what earned the treat.

Doling out training treats

When people hear “training treats,” they may imagine giving their dog large biscuits or handfuls of snacks throughout the day. 

But effective training treats can be tiny, too! For many dogs, their regular kibble works perfectly well as an everyday reward. Our own team usually gives out kibble-sized treats because they’re just as enticing for a pup as a larger treat! You can even use a dog training treat pouch for easier carrying.  

Using small treats has several benefits:

• Your dog can enjoy many repetitions without becoming overly full.

• Training sessions move quickly because your dog can eat the reward almost instantly.

• You can reinforce more behaviors throughout the day without adding excessive calories.

If you’re using your dog’s daily kibble for training, you may want to consider reducing the amount served at mealtime to account for what they’ve already eaten throughout the day. This helps maintain a balanced diet while allowing plenty of opportunities to reinforce good choices. (If you need a refresher, PetMD’s Dog Nutrition Center outlines how many calories your dog needs each day.)

You can use higher-value treats for more challenging situations like learning a brand-new skill. The American Kennel Club has a great article on using food rewards in dog training that goes into these types of treats.

Dogs are always learning from the outcomes of their actions. Every time you notice and reward a behavior you appreciate with food, you’re helping your dog understand what you want and to do more of it! Training becomes a positive environment where success is easy and enjoyable. And isn’t that always the goal?

Learn more about our Long Beach positive reinforcement dog training service.