01/06/2026
Something I hear a lot from puppy owners is:
"He'll only do it if I've got food."
To be honest, I wouldn't expect anything less.
Somewhere along the way we've developed the idea that rewarding a dog means we're bribing them, or that training isn't really working.
But think about it this way.
None of us work for free.
Whether it's money, praise, enjoyment, achievement or simply feeling good about something, we all need a reason to repeat behaviours.
Dogs are no different.
When we reward a puppy for choosing to come back, settle on a mat, focus on us or make a good decision, we're simply helping them understand which behaviours are worthwhile.
The goal isn't to have food in your hand forever.
The goal is to build a reinforcement history where making good decisions becomes a habit.
If your puppy responds when food is involved, training isn't failing.
In many cases, it shows learning is happening exactly as it should.
One of the things I enjoy most about puppy classes is helping owners understand why their dogs do what they do, rather than simply teaching them what to do.
Understanding what makes dogs tick often leads to calmer behaviour and clearer learning naturally.
Have you ever worried that using treats was "bribing" your dog?
