Magic Morsels
Updated: May 28, 2025
There’s an old saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Well, guess what? The same holds true for our four-legged friends! When it comes to effective dog training, treats aren’t just helpful; they’re magical. But like any good magician, you need an awesome assistant to make it happen. As always, happy to assist. Read on to learn make training your training sessions magically effective and fun.
The Magic of Motivation - Why Rewards Matter
Picture this: You’re at your job, working late, your boss skips payday, but still makes demands. Would you stick around? Probably not. Dogs aren’t much different. Rewards reinforce their effort and keep them motivated to behave, listen, and learn. Don’t think of rewards as a bribe, think of treats as your dog’s paycheck.
However, not all rewards are created equal. Some pups will happily work for kibble, while others won’t lift a paw unless there’s cheese, chicken, or liver involved.
Pro tip! High distractions = high-value treats
Don’t try to use a stale milk bone as payment when asking your dog to walk on leash without pulling through a park filled with dogs and people. For this highly distracting, challenging, exciting environment, pack your treat pouch the good stuff. Yes, I’m talking turkey hotdogs or freeze-dried organs.
Beyond Biscuits - How to Pick the Perfect Treat
One of the most common questions I get from pet guardians is, "What treats do you use for training?" When I train your dog, I want them excited and motivated to learn, and the right treat can make all the difference.
Here’s what I look for in a training treat:
Small or an ability to easily break into many pieces – You’ll be rewarding often, so smaller pieces are perfect.
Limited ingredients – There is a link between gut health and behavior. Single source or limited ingredients avoid upsetting your dog’s tummy.
Made in the USA or Canada – I prefer to purchase treats with human-grade ingredients and manufactured higher standard.
Easy on my hands – Some treats (like those from PetBotanics, Zuke’s, or Crazy Dog) cause my hands to itch.
I purchase from name brands like Top Chews, and small-batch producers like Fig and Tyler. And here’s my secret weapon for budget wins: check HomeGoods or Sierra for big-name treats at half the price!
The Secret to Treat Training
I keep this airtight OXO treat jar in my living room, so I can reward my dogs when they are relaxing and I’m working
Imagine this scenario. Your dog is calmly lying by your feet, and you think, “What a good pup!” You head to the kitchen to grab a treat and give them a pat. But what did your dog just learn? That the kitchen is the magic place where treats appear – OOPS!
The secret is to reward your dog exactly where and when the good behavior happens. Sit = Treat. Come = Treat.
To make your life easier, place treat jars in strategic places.
If your dog is slow to respond when you call them inside from the backyard, keep a treat container by the back door. This way, as soon as they come inside after your call, you can reward them instantly.
If you want your dog to stay calm during Zoom calls, place treats in your office. Now you can give your dog a reward for their chill behavior right where it matters.
This proactive approach ensures you're always prepared to reward and reinforce great habits. BOOM!
What if My Dog Only Listens When I Have Food?
Ah, the classic “treat addict” fear. Here’s the magic. Once your pup masters a behavior, start rewarding less frequently. Mix in life rewards instead, like play, accessibility, and attention. Play rewards may include games of chase, tug, or scent work. An accessibility rewards is opening the door to go outside or permission to greet a stranger. And an example of attention reward includes petting, scratching or verbal feedback like "good boy" or "good girl." These life rewards are incredibly powerful because they are often unanticipated (unlike food, which can be smelled) and are useful when food MIA.
Here’s what I do:
My dog offers a polite sit inside when a friend visits? No treat necessary, but a scratch or pet – absolutely!
A family with kids walks by on the sidewalk, and my dog sits calmly? I’m dishing out Stella and Chewy’s Wild Weenies freezed dried minnows from Dr Harveys.
Do I reward my mature, well-trained dogs for a sit, coming when called or just because? Of course I do! They deserve it.
Final Thoughts
Dog training is about working at your dog’s level and using rewards foods and life rewards to thank them for their good behavior. Experiment, have fun, and don’t worry if things don’t go as planned every time – dog training is a journey.
What motivates your dog the most? Share your favorite training snacks with me in the comments below.
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