What Are Good Training Treats and Why You Shouldn't Use Your Dog's Dinner for Training
Jess - Dog Trainer & Behaviour Specialist
What Are Good Training Treats and Why You Shouldn't Use Your Dog's Dinner for Training
Training your dog requires patience, consistency, and the right kind of motivation—and nothing motivates a dog more than tasty treats! However, not all treats are created equal when it comes to training. Knowing what to give your dog during training sessions can make a big difference in how effective your training is. One common mistake many dog owners make is using their dog's dinner as training treats, which might not have the desired effect.
In this blog, we'll explore what makes a good training treat and why feeding your dog their dinner as a training reward isn’t the best idea.
1. High Value
A good training treat should be something your dog finds irresistible. During training, you need something that excites your dog more than their usual food. High-value treats could include small pieces of cooked chicken, liver treats, or store-bought treats that are designed specifically for training. These are more likely to capture your dog's attention and keep them engaged in the learning process.
2. Small and Bite-Sized
Training sessions often involve a lot of repetition, so you’ll need treats that are small enough to be given multiple times without overfeeding your dog. Bite-sized treats allow you to reward your dog frequently without worrying about them filling up too quickly. Look for treats that are soft, easy to chew, and can be quickly eaten so that your dog remains focused.
3. Healthy and Nutritious
While treats are a great tool for training, they still need to fit into your dog's overall nutritional plan. Opt for treats made from wholesome, natural ingredients. At Doghouse Dog Café, we recommend Australian-made treats, free from artificial preservatives and fillers.
4. Smelly and Flavourful
Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell, so treats that have a strong aroma will be more enticing and motivating during training. The smellier the treat, the better! This doesn’t mean it needs to be unpleasant for you—just something that catches your dog's attention quickly, like fish-based treats or liver snacks.
1. Dinner Isn't High-Value
Your dog’s regular meal might be nutritious, but it's not exciting enough to motivate them during training. Training treats need to be high-value, meaning they should be seen as a special reward for good behaviour. Your dog likely eats their dinner every day, so it’s not something they view as extraordinary or rewarding. Without a special treat, your dog may lose interest and not be as eager to engage in the training session.
2. Dinner Time Should Be Separate From Training
Meal times serve a different purpose than training sessions. When your dog eats their dinner, it’s a calm, structured time for them to nourish their body. Mixing dinner with training can create confusion, and your dog may struggle to distinguish between learning new behaviours and simply eating their food. It's essential to keep training separate from their regular meals to maintain clear boundaries and help them understand when it's time to learn versus when it's time to eat.
3. Lack of Immediate Reward
In training, timing is crucial. Your dog needs to associate the reward with the desired behaviour immediately. Feeding your dog their dinner during training may not provide that quick, positive reinforcement. Dinner often involves larger portions that take time to eat, whereas a small training treat can be given instantly, allowing your dog to make the connection between the behaviour and the reward faster.
4. Portion Control and Overfeeding
Using dinner as training treats can lead to overfeeding or underfeeding. If you use too much of your dog's dinner as training rewards, they may not have enough left to meet their nutritional needs. On the other hand, if you feed their entire dinner during training, they could end up overfed. Training sessions should include small, frequent rewards, and it's easy to misjudge portions when you're using regular meals instead of bite-sized training treats.
5. Reinforcement vs. Routine
Your dog’s dinner is part of their daily routine, not a form of reinforcement. Training treats, however, should act as a positive reinforcement tool—a special reward that encourages your dog to repeat the behaviour you’re teaching. By separating training treats from routine meals, you're sending a clear message: treats are rewards for learning and behaving well, not something they get just because it’s mealtime.
Using the right training treats is key to successful dog training. High-value, small, nutritious treats will keep your dog engaged and motivated to learn new behaviours. While it might be tempting to use your dog's dinner during training sessions, it simply doesn't provide the same motivational power or clear reinforcement that specific training treats offer.
At Doghouse Dog Café, we carry a wide range of dog trainer-approved treats that are perfect for training sessions. Remember, training is about creating positive associations, so treat your dog to something extra special during their training sessions!
In this blog, we'll explore what makes a good training treat and why feeding your dog their dinner as a training reward isn’t the best idea.
What Makes a Good Training Treat?
When training your dog, you need treats that are motivating, easy to handle, and healthy. Here's what to look for:1. High Value
A good training treat should be something your dog finds irresistible. During training, you need something that excites your dog more than their usual food. High-value treats could include small pieces of cooked chicken, liver treats, or store-bought treats that are designed specifically for training. These are more likely to capture your dog's attention and keep them engaged in the learning process.
2. Small and Bite-Sized
Training sessions often involve a lot of repetition, so you’ll need treats that are small enough to be given multiple times without overfeeding your dog. Bite-sized treats allow you to reward your dog frequently without worrying about them filling up too quickly. Look for treats that are soft, easy to chew, and can be quickly eaten so that your dog remains focused.
3. Healthy and Nutritious
While treats are a great tool for training, they still need to fit into your dog's overall nutritional plan. Opt for treats made from wholesome, natural ingredients. At Doghouse Dog Café, we recommend Australian-made treats, free from artificial preservatives and fillers.
4. Smelly and Flavourful
Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell, so treats that have a strong aroma will be more enticing and motivating during training. The smellier the treat, the better! This doesn’t mean it needs to be unpleasant for you—just something that catches your dog's attention quickly, like fish-based treats or liver snacks.
Why You Shouldn't Use Your Dog’s Dinner as Training Treats
Now that we know what makes a great training treat, let’s talk about why your dog’s regular dinner doesn’t belong in a training session. While it might seem convenient to use their dinner kibble or raw food for training, it’s not an effective approach for several reasons.1. Dinner Isn't High-Value
Your dog’s regular meal might be nutritious, but it's not exciting enough to motivate them during training. Training treats need to be high-value, meaning they should be seen as a special reward for good behaviour. Your dog likely eats their dinner every day, so it’s not something they view as extraordinary or rewarding. Without a special treat, your dog may lose interest and not be as eager to engage in the training session.
2. Dinner Time Should Be Separate From Training
Meal times serve a different purpose than training sessions. When your dog eats their dinner, it’s a calm, structured time for them to nourish their body. Mixing dinner with training can create confusion, and your dog may struggle to distinguish between learning new behaviours and simply eating their food. It's essential to keep training separate from their regular meals to maintain clear boundaries and help them understand when it's time to learn versus when it's time to eat.
3. Lack of Immediate Reward
In training, timing is crucial. Your dog needs to associate the reward with the desired behaviour immediately. Feeding your dog their dinner during training may not provide that quick, positive reinforcement. Dinner often involves larger portions that take time to eat, whereas a small training treat can be given instantly, allowing your dog to make the connection between the behaviour and the reward faster.
4. Portion Control and Overfeeding
Using dinner as training treats can lead to overfeeding or underfeeding. If you use too much of your dog's dinner as training rewards, they may not have enough left to meet their nutritional needs. On the other hand, if you feed their entire dinner during training, they could end up overfed. Training sessions should include small, frequent rewards, and it's easy to misjudge portions when you're using regular meals instead of bite-sized training treats.
5. Reinforcement vs. Routine
Your dog’s dinner is part of their daily routine, not a form of reinforcement. Training treats, however, should act as a positive reinforcement tool—a special reward that encourages your dog to repeat the behaviour you’re teaching. By separating training treats from routine meals, you're sending a clear message: treats are rewards for learning and behaving well, not something they get just because it’s mealtime.
Using the right training treats is key to successful dog training. High-value, small, nutritious treats will keep your dog engaged and motivated to learn new behaviours. While it might be tempting to use your dog's dinner during training sessions, it simply doesn't provide the same motivational power or clear reinforcement that specific training treats offer.
At Doghouse Dog Café, we carry a wide range of dog trainer-approved treats that are perfect for training sessions. Remember, training is about creating positive associations, so treat your dog to something extra special during their training sessions!
Jess - Dog Trainer & Behaviour Specialist