How to Find Training Treats Your Dog Really Values

By Dr Duncan Houston

The treat that works in your kitchen may not interest your dog beside an exciting walking route. “High value” describes what the dog finds rewarding in that moment, not the price or claims on the packet.

Finding a useful reward is part observation and part preparation. You need something the dog likes, can safely eat and can finish without interrupting the exercise.

Quick Answer

Choose small, easy-to-eat rewards your dog already tolerates, then compare how they respond during simple training in a quiet place. Use more appealing rewards for harder tasks, but also reduce distractions when the setting is too difficult. Count treats within the day's food plan and follow individual veterinary dietary advice.

What makes a treat high value?

A reward is valuable if the dog wants it and it helps reinforce the behaviour you are teaching. Texture, smell, familiarity and the surrounding activity can all affect preference.

There is no universal winner. Some dogs happily work for part of their ordinary food; others prefer a different suitable reward. A product marketed for training is not automatically more motivating than the food you already have.

Watch the whole response. Taking a treat is one clue, but willingly returning to the activity and remaining comfortable give you more useful information.

Make a small, practical shortlist

• Suitable ingredients: use options compatible with the dog's established diet and any restrictions.
• Manageable size: select pieces appropriate for the dog that can be eaten easily.
• Quick to deliver: prepare portions before starting rather than breaking up a large piece after every response.
• Clear calorie information: check the label or ask the manufacturer when it is missing.
• Practical storage: follow the product's storage instructions, particularly for food carried outdoors.

A long-lasting chew serves a different purpose from a quick training reward. If the dog needs a long pause to finish each piece, use a more practical option for that exercise.

Compare preferences without turning training into a test

1. Start in a quiet, familiar space when the dog can comfortably engage.
2. Choose a very easy behaviour the dog already knows.
3. Try one suitable reward and observe how readily the dog returns to the activity.
4. On another easy repetition, try an alternative without changing several other features.
5. Keep a simple note of the reward, setting and response.

You are looking for a workable preference, not a precise ranking. A dog can like two rewards, change preferences or be more interested in something else on a particular day.

Do not introduce a large assortment of unfamiliar foods at once. Stick to tolerated options, and stop using a new treat if it appears to upset your dog's digestion. Ask your vet when suitability is uncertain.

Match the reward to the task

An easy check-in at home may need a different reward from returning attention to you in a distracting place. Keep a particularly appealing suitable option for harder work, while still making the task achievable.

Important checkpoint: a dog who cannot take food or respond normally may need an easier setting. Do not keep escalating the treat value while ignoring worry, discomfort or overwhelming distractions.

Move farther from the distraction, shorten the task or take a break. Good training combines an appropriate reward with an environment where the dog can succeed.

Keep treats within the feeding plan

WSAVA advises that treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake. This is a general upper limit, not a target to fill or an individual calorie prescription.

Count all extras, including rewards given by other household members. Part of the dog's usual complete food can be set aside for training when that works for them. Do not replace balanced meals with an assortment of treats.

For a dog on a prescribed diet or with dietary sensitivities or a medical condition, ask the veterinary team which rewards and quantities fit the existing plan. A popular treat is not necessarily suitable for that dog.

Remember that rewards can be more than food

A favourite game, suitable attention or access to a safe sniffing opportunity can also reward behaviour. The dog decides whether the outcome is enjoyable.

Match the reward to the activity. An energetic game may be useful after an active exercise but less helpful when you are encouraging quiet settling. Petting is only a reward when the dog welcomes it.

Common mistakes

• Choosing by price instead of the dog's response
• Using large pieces that slow the session down
• Forgetting rewards given by other people
• Trying to overcome an overwhelming setting with richer food
• Ignoring an existing veterinary diet plan

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ordinary kibble for training?

Yes, when it is suitable for your dog and they find it rewarding in that setting. Set it aside from their usual allowance.

Does high value mean expensive?

No. It describes the dog's preference, not the cost of the product.

Should I make my dog hungry before training?

Do not withhold needed meals to force participation. Choose a comfortable time, an appropriate reward and an achievable task.

What if my dog prefers a toy?

Use a suitable game when it helps the exercise and the dog can pause or exchange the toy comfortably.

Prepare the reward before the session

Choose a small amount of suitable food or another reward, decide what you are reinforcing and keep the task simple. Good timing and a manageable setting matter as much as what is in the treat pouch.

Sources

• WSAVA: treat allowance and individual suitability
• Dogs Trust: reward preferences and context
• Dogs Trust: preparing manageable sessions
• AVSAB: humane reward-based training

ASK A VET™ supports training that fits the individual dog. Your veterinary team can help you choose rewards when diet or health needs limit the options.