06/16/2026
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that dogs can only be trained with treats. That’s just not true. Dogs are trained with motivation, and food is only one form of motivation.
Take my cattle dog, Archie, for example. He’ll work for treats for a couple repetitions and then he’s over it. He’ll literally walk off, grab a toy, and tell me he’d rather play a game. It’s not even the toy itself that motivates him—it’s the game. The interaction. The challenge. Once we switch over, he’ll happily work ten times longer.
Now compare that to my Labrador Tw***ie. She’s about as food motivated as they come. She’d probably follow a stranger in a van if she thought there was a snack involved.
Same species. Completely different motivators.
This is why I encourage people to stop asking, “What treats should I use?” and start asking, “What does my dog actually love?”
Maybe it’s food. Maybe it’s chasing a ball. Maybe it’s praise and affection. Maybe it’s getting to go outside. Maybe it’s hopping in the car for a ride or getting a pup cup.
Those things all have value to your dog, and value is what creates motivation.
Even in grooming, I think about this constantly.
People often ask why their dog won’t take treats during grooming. Stress changes the equation. When a dog is worried or overwhelmed, eating often drops way down the priority list. Their body is focused on processing what’s happening around them, not enjoying a snack.
That’s one reason I don’t rely heavily on food during groom training.
Instead, I use things that matter in that moment.
Sometimes that’s simply giving the dog a break. Letting them hop off the table, stretch their legs, shake off some tension, sniff around the room, or have a minute to just be a dog again.
If you’ve ever seen a dog shake their whole body after a stressful moment or take off running for a lap around the room, you’re watching them decompress. That freedom can be an incredibly powerful reward.
The same idea applies at home.
If your dog loves being outside, ask for a sit before opening the door. If they love walks, ask for a behavior before clipping on the leash.
If they love belly rubs, use those.
You’re already surrounded by reinforcers, you just have to recognize them.
I’ve even heard trainers suggest skipping meals to make dogs work for food. Personally, that’s not my style. I’d much rather spend my energy figuring out what naturally motivates that individual dog than trying to force food to become important.
Every dog has something they absolutely light up for.
Find that thing.
That’s where the magic happens.
So here’s my challenge: spend five minutes today just watching your dog.
What makes their ears perk up?
What gets the tail wagging?
What makes them think, “YES! I want that!”
Because once you find that answer, you’ve found one of the most valuable training tools you’ll ever have.
