Stop Training for Treats and Start Training for Reliability

November 23, 2025

Let me be clear: I use food in training. A lot. It’s a fantastic motivator, especially during the learning phase. But if your dog only listens when they know you’re holding a treat, you don’t have a trained dog, you have a food addict.

This isn’t about being “anti-positive.” It’s about being real.

Your dog won’t always have a treat waiting. They’ll need to listen when it matters, not just when you’re holding a hot dog.

The difference between motivation and dependency

Using treats to build a behavior is smart. Using treats as a bribe? That’s a trap.

If your dog:

• Sniffs the ground when you don’t have food
  
  

• Checks your hands before responding
  
  

• Stops working when the treats run out
  
  

…then you’ve trained a food-dependent dog, not a reliable one.

Real-life obedience means no visible reward

When I talk about reliable obedience, I mean:

• The dog sits the first time, even if you’re empty-handed
  
  

• The dog recalls off a squirrel, not just off a toy
  
  

• The dog holds Place while you cook, even if you’re not “engaging” them
  
  

That doesn’t happen when food is the only motivator. That happens when you teach your dog that listening is non-negotiable.

Why bribery backfires

When treats are shown before a command, the dog learns, “I only listen when I see a payoff.”
That’s bribery. And dogs are smart.

Instead, reward after the behavior. That’s training. That’s how you build behavior that holds up under distraction, stress, or pressure.

What I do instead

1. Start with food, but fade it out
   Use it early and often to create clarity and engagement, but begin reducing visibility quickly. Don’t let the dog get used to seeing food before they perform.
   
   

2. Mix up the rewards
   Sometimes food. Sometimes praise. Sometimes a quick release. Sometimes nothing at all. Keep the dog guessing and working.
   
   

3. Layer in accountability
   If the dog ignores you? There’s a consequence. That might be leash pressure, a spatial reset, or a firm “no.” Make sure they understand that the cue matters, regardless of what you’re holding.
   
   

4. Reward thinking, not reacting
   The goal is a dog that chooses to listen, not one that reacts automatically to the sight of a snack.
   
   

Final thoughts

A dog who listens because they respect the structure will work for you anytime, anywhere.

A dog who listens for a cookie? That’s a gamble.