One of the most controversial subjects when it comes to basic obedience of the family pet is whether or not it is a good idea to use treats. Let me start by saying there is nothing inherently wrong with using treats to train or motivate your dog. As a matter of fact every dog trainer, worth his or her salt, recognizes that using food when a dog is in a stressful situation is the easiest and quickest way to de-stress the dog.  Using food to get a dog used to a crate, for example or for that matter giving a dog a treat whenever you put it in the crate is fine.

The biggest problem I have with using food for basic obedience is not in its initial use but in the fact that the dog is never weaned from the food and then the dog will do nothing if food is not present, IE: you forgot it. Further, when food is the only motivation for the dog the dog no longer responds when the dog is full or distracted by something more interesting. You only have to get your lab or golden around another lab or golden to see this in action. When food is used in this fashion it becomes nothing but a “bribe” and you then set the stage for the dog to make a decision as to whether or not the dog wants the treat.

Please understand that all good dog trainers use food or a toy to keep their dog motivated in the show or obedience ring. However, show situations may last 5 to 10 minutes at most. A short enough time that the dog does not get full nor, in this period of time will its motivation go down. But dog trainers know they can’t take food nor the dogs favorite toy into the show ring during an official trial and thus must get the dog to anticipate the food or playing with the toy once they successfully complete the task at hand. In this manner the dog is slowing and methodically trained for longer and longer periods without being rewarded in anticipation for the big reward at the end.

So, it is our contention that food is not necessary when training a dog to do those things referred to as “basic obedience.” Coming when called, walking on a loose leash or sitting or laying down. Food will, in these instances, work faster but in my 33 plus years of training you will soon be making the complaint I hear time and time again. “ My dog won’t do anything for me when I forget the treats.”

Food further will not, in my opinion, establish your alpha position over the dog and if there are any dominance issues, on the part of the dog, food as a training tool will not work. Many dog training schools lead their clients to believe that feeding the dog “makes you the boss” because mother dogs feed their pups. Again, I would disagree with this logic. Mother dogs and alpha males establish their position in the pack in many other ways that have nothing to do with feeding. My mother put every meal I ever ate on the table for the first 22 years of my life, but it was my father who was the boss in my family. 

Now, let’s look at the dominant dog or the dog that is being”pushy” with the owner. How would using food to train that dog communicate that you are the boss. Especially with this type of dog, which could easily be 30% of the dogs I see, food may cause further problems in that you may feel you have made some training gains but have you really communicated that you “are the boss?” Now you believe your dog is “trained” and so you assert your authority over the dog and now the dog is growling at you or worse.

How we do it. First please understand that no dog trainer, worth his or her salt, would ever encourage you to be cruel or hit your dog, EVER. It is my belief and Cesar Milans, (The Dog Whisperer) that you must train your dog to be a member of the pack with YOU as the leader. That’s all we’re talking about. The same way you are the leader of your children or your Mom and Dad were your leader. We use a lot of praise and petting and encourage you to let the dog know you are pleased with his or her performance. Dogs like to be petted and praised with a soothing voice, two things you always have with you. If you have used food and it has not worked call us WE CAN HELP.