Does Your Dog Need a Raise? How to Up the Yum Factor for More Successful Training

Rookie taking a treat from mom. Photo - Angela Gardner

The first two questions I ask the parents of the dogs I’m working with are: what is your biggest challenge, and what is your dog's favorite thing? We need to know what dogs like because dogs learn by motivation and that thing that they love is our currency. That’s what will help them - and us - overcome a training challenge.

Dogs don’t come preprogrammed to do everything (or anything!) we want them to do. In fact, we ask for a lot of behaviors that contradict what canines instinctively would rather do, like chasing a bird versus coming when called. To get these desired behaviors, we must pay them. And, just like people, dogs are motivated by higher value rewards. If we ask for expensive behavior that goes against their basic instincts, we should be paying our dogs well. High value treats are one of the best ways to do this. 

Food motivation is a trait of some breeds. Beagles are known for their food motivation, while herders tend to be less food motivated. But what can you do if your dog is not motivated by food? First, see if you can figure out why.

Many times when I’m teaching a class, all the dogs are willing to do what I ask and the owners are mystified. Actually, their dog is blowing them off because their training treat is boring kibble, while I’m offering yummy freeze-dried chicken. Sometimes dogs will hold out for the higher value treat and seem unmotivated when, in fact, they’re hoping for chicken and all you have is Cheerios. So always pay well, especially when you figure out the one thing that your dog truly loves.

If your dog doesn’t care as much about food, you can increase the value of a treat by pairing it with other things your dog enjoys, such as sniffing or playing, which creates a positive association with food. If they’re still not interested, you can use your dog’s favorite toy as a reward in the same way you would use a treat. When you get the desired behavior from your dog, then offer the toy for play. Verbal praise, play, and affection can also be rewards for desired behavior. For example, when your dog sits, rather than jumping on you, bend over and pet him.

Appetite may be another factor if your dog does not seem food motivated. For that reason, always make sure your dog is not full before starting any training. You’ll also want to determine whether there are other more enticing distractions nearby, such as another dog that your pup would rather go greet. In those cases, ask your dog to sit and then allow him to greet the other dog as a reward.

I work with a lot of dogs who suffer from anxiety and sometimes a dog will be too stressed to want to eat. With reactive and fearful dogs, they may just be beyond their threshold of what they can handle. A dog's willingness to eat is a good indicator of their emotional state.

Finally, in any training, always be sure you are clear about what you are asking from your dog and pay attention to his mood. If he is confused or mentally tired, he may seem unmotivated, when actually he’s just not up for training and needs a break.

In short, use the things that your dog loves to reinforce desired behaviors: a treat, a tug toy, a scratch behind the ears, or a squeaky ball. If the desired behavior is getting stronger or repeating more frequently, you are on the right track. If not, you may have to find a reward of higher value.

Not all dogs are the same and we can’t expect them all to respond the same way. Be patient, get to know your dog's personality, and try different rewards. Then use what works best for your dog.