If you’ve ever wondered why your dog will happily “sit” in the kitchen but seems to forget the word in the park, you’ve already experienced the power of rewards. Understanding what’s truly rewarding to your dog is the key to better training, stronger communication, and a happier relationship.
The trick? It’s not about what we think should be rewarding—it’s about what your dog thinks is rewarding. And sometimes, that’s not what you expect.
Understanding What Counts as a Reward
In training, a “reward” is anything that makes your dog more likely to repeat a behavior—food, play, affection, or even the chance to sniff a bush. The key is that your dog decides what’s rewarding, not you. And what works in one moment might fall flat in another.
The closer you match the reward to your dog’s preference and the situation, the more powerful your training will be.
Food Rewards: Not All Treats Are Equal
Food is the most common—and often the easiest—way to reward a dog. But not all treats have the same impact.
The Treat Hierarchy
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High-value: Moist, smelly, or fresh items like liver, cheese, cooked meat, or freeze-dried organs
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Medium-value: Small jerky bits, soft training treats, dehydrated meats
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Low-value: Kibble, biscuit-type treats, air-dried raw pieces
Every dog has their own personal hierarchy. Some will work like a gymnast for cheese, while others are perfectly happy with a crunchy biscuit.
Using Your Dog’s Regular Food as a Reward
Many dogs are perfectly happy to work for their regular meals. This could be:
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Kibble: Easy to portion and carry
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Air-dried or freeze-dried raw: Nutritious yet still convenient
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Gently cooked food: Soft and highly palatable
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Fresh raw diets: For raw-fed dogs, rewards can come right from the daily portion
With raw feeding, you can use a spoon, small container, or even a lick pop—a frozen raw blend on a stick or holder—to deliver rewards. This is especially motivating for behaviors that require calm focus, like settling on a mat at a café or staying still during grooming.
Using your dog’s meal for training rewards keeps calories in check while turning everyday feeding into an opportunity for enrichment and learning.
Matching the Reward to the Situation
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Calm, familiar environments: Regular food or medium-value treats often do the trick.
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Moderate distractions: Step it up with soft treats or small pieces of meat.
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High-distraction or challenging environments: Break out the top-tier rewards—special meats, cheese, or spoon-fed raw.
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Stressful or scary moments: Comfort foods in an easy-to-eat format (lick mats, meatballs, peanut butter) can help your dog stay calm and focused.
For self-control behaviors, sometimes the best reward isn’t food—it’s freedom. After a great heel walk, solid stay, or calm wait at the door, use a release cue like “Go sniff!”, “Go play!”, or “Get it!” to let your dog explore, interact, or grab a toy. This directly links the behavior you want with the freedom they love.
Size and Frequency Matter
Small treats work best for most training—they allow for more repetitions, fewer calories, and less risk of stomach upset. But there are times to go bigger. A “jackpot” (a larger treat or a rapid-fire handful) is perfect for celebrating a breakthrough or helping your dog push through a tough challenge.
Rewards Beyond the Food Bowl
Play
Many dogs find play just as rewarding as food. Tug, fetch, chase games, or even hide-and-seek can be powerful motivators.
Touch and Affection
Belly rubs, ear scratches, and gentle petting can be wonderful rewards—if your dog enjoys them. Always watch body language. One dog may melt under a head pat, while another might find it uncomfortable.
Praise
Not all dogs are motivated by verbal praise. Some light up at a cheerful “Good dog!”, while others barely notice. Its impact depends on tone, past associations, and whether it’s been paired with other rewards. Look for signs of engagement—wagging tail, perked ears, bright eyes—to know if it’s truly rewarding.
Access to the Environment
For many dogs, the chance to explore is the ultimate prize. “Life rewards” like sniffing a hydrant, greeting another dog, or running off-leash can be more motivating than food. Use release cues like “Go sniff!”, “Go play!”, or “Get it!” to connect desired behavior with freedom. For example:
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After a beautiful heel walk, release with “Go sniff!” to explore the park.
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After a long stay, release to “Go play!” with a friend or “Get it!” to chase a toy.
Attention
This one’s tricky. Even “negative” attention can be rewarding for some dogs. Yelling “No!” or pushing them away might actually make them want to try again—because it still gave them interaction.
It’s also important to remember that the value of attention can depend on who is giving it. A dog may love your interaction but have no interest in the exact same type of attention from a stranger—or might even find it uncomfortable. Just because something is rewarding from you doesn’t mean it’s rewarding from everyone.
The Danger of Unintentional Rewards
Dogs are always learning—sometimes in ways we don’t mean. Without realizing it, we can reward behaviors we’d rather stop.
Common examples:
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Jumping up: Pushing your dog away or talking to them can feel like a fun interaction, encouraging the jumping.
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Demand barking: Even saying “quiet” can be rewarding because you’ve given them attention.
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Stealing items: Chasing your dog turns into an exciting game of keep-away.
The fix? Remove attention completely for behaviors you don’t want, and make sure all the “good stuff” only happens when your dog is doing what you do want.
Building a Personalized Reward Menu
Every dog is unique, so craft a “menu” of rewards tailored just for yours. Include:
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Foods: List treats from low- to high-value based on your dog’s preferences.
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Toys and Games: Note their favorites for playtime motivation.
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Types of Touch: Identify the petting or cuddling styles they love most.
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Activities and Outings: Include walks, car rides, or special adventures they enjoy.
Keep your reward menu dynamic by rotating options and surprising your dog occasionally with something extra special.
Rewards Build Relationships
Rewards aren’t bribes—they’re a way to communicate. The right reward says, “Yes, do that again!” Whether it’s a bite of raw food from a spoon, a favorite tug game, or a chance to sniff a fire hydrant, rewards help your dog understand and enjoy the behaviors you want.
When you tune in to what your dog truly values, training becomes easier, more effective, and way more fun for both of you.
Pro Tip: Make a list of everything your dog might find rewarding, then test and rank them. You may find one dog works endlessly for a game of fetch, while another treasures roasted chicken above all. Knowing your dog’s personal “reward ladder” means you’ll always have the perfect motivator for every situation.
Ready to discover your dog’s perfect reward menu? Stop by Paws on Main and explore our wide selection of treats and high-value toys. We’ll help you find those special motivators that make training—and playtime—truly rewarding for your pup!