Treat time (ing)
Dog Treats, Timing, and What Your Dog Really Wants
Dog treats aren’t just a snack—they’re one of the most powerful tools you can use to teach, reward, and build trust with your dog. But giving treats isn’t just about handing over a biscuit when your dog looks cute. How you use treats, when you deliver them, and which ones you choose can make a big difference in how well your dog learns.
Let’s break it down.
Timing Is Everything
If you’ve ever heard a trainer say “timing is key,” they weren’t kidding. Dogs learn by associating actions with outcomes. That means if you wait too long to give the treat, your dog might not know what they’re being rewarded for.
Ideally, the treat should come immediately after the behaviour you’re reinforcing. We’re talking a second or two. If your dog sits, the treat should follow right away—not after you fumble through your pocket or walk across the room. So a treat pouch can be a useful tool.
This is especially important when you’re teaching something new. The clearer and quicker the reward, the faster your dog connects the dots.
Positive Reinforcement: Why It Works
Positive reinforcement means rewarding behaviors you like, so your dog does them more often. It’s not about bribing—it’s about motivating.
Here’s the basic formula:
Dog does something you want (like sits when asked).
You immediately reward with something the dog loves.
The dog starts to repeat the behavior because good things happen when they do.
Dogs repeat what works for them. If sitting politely gets them a piece of chicken, they’re more likely to sit next time. If jumping gets ignored, and sitting gets rewarded, most dogs will start sitting for attention instead of jumping.
Treat Preferences Matter
Not all treats are equal in your dog’s eyes. Some dogs will do backflips for freeze-dried liver. Others might shrug at a store-bought biscuit but light up at a bit of cheese or turkey.
Knowing what your dog really loves gives you a big advantage. Think of it like this:
High-value treats: Soft, smelly, and irresistible. Great for new behaviours, distractions, or tough environments.
Medium-value treats: Crunchy, soft treats or kibble. Fine for easy tasks or at home.
Low-value treats: Things your dog likes but isn’t wild about. Use these when the stakes are low or just for maintenance.
Watch your dog’s body language. If their tail wags harder, ears perk up, or they work faster, you’ve found something good. If they sniff and walk away, try something else.
Mix It Up
Using the same treat over and over can make it lose its power. Variety keeps your dog guessing and engaged. Rotate through different treats or even use small bits of real food like cooked chicken, low-fat cheese, or bits of carrot (if your dog likes veggies).
Just keep treats small—pea-sized is plenty for training. You’re rewarding, not feeding a meal.
Remember tastes change and dogs can get bored with the same old treats.
One Last Thing
Treats are a great tool, but they’re not the only one. Praise, play, toys, or even the chance to sniff a tree can also be powerful rewards, depending on your dog. Pay attention to what lights them up.
But when used right, treats can build good habits, strengthen your bond, and make learning fun for both of you.
