Praise as a Dog Treat: Why Love is a Better Motivator Than Food

Pets love treats. Dogs are highly food motivated, and they are more willing and able to perform a behavior if they think it will earn them some type of food reward. It is why treats have always been - and in some ways still are - an important part of dog training. Teach a dog a behavior, reward the dog with a treat, repeat until the dog understands the command.

But it's important to remember that the best possible reward isn't food. It's (genuine) love and praise. And replacing treats with praise and affection may be the perfect way to help your dog learn better household behaviors. However, the word "genuine" is important, and it's something we'll discuss momentarily.

Benefits of Praise Over Treats

Praise has many benefits that make it a great motivator to your dog. Praise:

Is a reward. Dogs love being a part of the family, and as pack leader, your praise gives it a rush of positive emotions that make it happy to perform a behavior again.
Strengthens the human/dog bond. Praise is better for your relationship than a treat, because it establishes that you have a connection to each other that goes beyond food.
Is Always Available - If your dog does a behavior that makes you happy, you don't have to worry that you left praise behind or ran out of praise and haven't yet gone to the store. It's there when you need it.

As pack leader, your praise means a lot to your dog. It's also visual and auditory proof that you approve of them and love them. Your dog genuinely appreciates that positive, kind attention in a way that treats cannot provide.

BUT - Praise Has to Be Genuine

Praise is a great way to reward a positive behavior. But over-doing praise and using it more like a bribe than any actual excitement can have its drawbacks. Dogs are smart animals. They know when they get something "too much" and they can tell when you're not being sincere with your praise. It should come out naturally as you reward your dog for their wonderful behavior.

Learn More About the ForceFree Method

Giving treats to your dog is still a great way to train. You shouldn't avoid treats just for praise, because your dog does learn from treats, and your dog deserves treats for being such a loving member of the family.

But there is real value to remembering to praise your dog, and to use praise without necessarily adding treats. Let your dog bond with you for you, and show your dog that their behaviors are appreciated. You'll find they are more than happy to keep doing them knowing that it makes you happy.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention