When it comes to obedience training, one of the most common questions we hear is: Should I use treats or not? At One Clever Canine, we believe in an approach rooted in long-term behavioral success, not quick fixes. And while positive reinforcement is a vital part of any training program, how that reinforcement is delivered matters more than most people realize.
Dominance and Behavior: What’s Really Going On?
Most behavior problems, like aggression, pulling, jumping, or ignoring commands, are rooted in dominance issues. It’s natural for young dogs to test boundaries and try to assume the alpha role within a pack. If your dog doesn’t see you as a clear, consistent leader, they may take charge themselves.
Our goal as trainers is to make sure each dog clearly understands its place as a happy, obedient, subservient pack member, not the one running the show. This is the cornerstone of traditional dog training and the foundation for resolving behavior issues.
The Problem with Treat-Based Training
While handing out treats may seem harmless (or even helpful), there’s a deeper dynamic at play. In the canine world, the act of giving food has serious social implications. Pack animals instinctively associate the transfer of food with status. The one who gives up food is seen as weaker, certainly not the leader.
You’ll never see a dominant alpha dog surrender scraps to a lower-ranking dog. But you will see submissive dogs offer up food or space to alphas. So, when we give a dog a treat from hand to mouth, that action alone can reinforce the idea that we’re not the leader, they are.
Why Praise and Bonding Outperform Treats
Through 25+ years as a certified master trainer, I’ve seen a clear pattern: dogs raised on treat-based training often show signs of dominant behavior, pulling on the leash, selective listening, anxiety, and more. That’s why I teach my clients to use love, motivation, praise, and bonding as primary reward mechanisms.
Dogs don’t associate petting and praise with weakness the way they do with food. When used correctly, these tools build trust and reinforce the human’s role as leader, and all while keeping the dog happy and motivated.
However, this kind of training requires more than repetition; it takes patience, timing, and a deep understanding of pack structure, developmental phases, and canine psychology.
When Treats Do Have a Purpose
Now, let’s be clear, treat training isn’t useless. There is a place for it, though it should be limited. I’d say treats make up about 5% to 10% of a well-balanced training system, and almost never serve as the foundation. The exceptions are:
- Abused or fearful dogs: When working with a dog that’s emotionally shut down, a small amount of treat-based motivation can help them come out of their shell and build trust. But once the dog is more confident and begins showing any dominant tendencies, treats should be phased out immediately.
- Agility and competition training: In high-performance situations where speed, repetition, and instant reward matter, small treat usage can be appropriate. These dogs are trained differently and often thrive on a little extra edge.
For everyday pet owners seeking calm, reliable, real-world obedience, skip the treats.
Bottom Line: Want a Truly Obedient Dog? Train Without Bribes
If what you really want is a well-mannered, obedient companion, avoid relying on food during training. Treats may seem like a shortcut, but in the long run, they can create confusion, imbalance, and even behavioral problems.
Obedience is about respect, structure, and clarity. That begins with training methods that speak your dog’s language, not your snack drawer.
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