Use treats as rewards for your dogs performance not as a bribe for it to perform

What the best way to teach a dog to obey commands? Asks a reader

Treats should be performance rewards not bribes to perform.


Treats should be performance rewards not bribes to perform.

Q: Our dog only obeys if we have a treat in our hand. I think he looks to see if we have food to decide whether or not to obey. I do not want a dog that only listens when there is a bribe available. How do I teach that obedience is not an option?

A: Treat dependence concerns many owners. Ironically, all training tools carry the risk of dependence. Some dogs only obey if wearing a corrective collar and the threat of discipline is present. Yet, treats seem to trigger more worry about dependence than other methods. Avoid this problem entirely by seeing training exercises from the dog’s point of view.

Dogs are a visual species learning to live with owners who give verbal commands. But people can send a wide range of commands through unintentional hand gestures and facial expressions.

Owners give commands while watching television, eating dinner and during other daily life scenarios. When pets fail to obey under these conditions, the owner assumes it is because they do not have a treat in hand. Infact, most dogs are actually waiting for their owners to give visual hints.

Gestures done during training are interpreted as hand signals that the dog now needs to be able to understand what is expected. Treat dependence is not the problem so much as body language dependence.

Owners can avoid falling into this by ensuring that they do not inadvertently give cues with their hands, body or face.

Also, make sure that treats are given for good behaviour. ew owners often make the critical error of reaching for treats after the dog has already refused to obey a command. This teaches the dog that ignoring commands is profitable. Getting treats for refusing to obey is a bribe, not a well-planned reward.

Finally, remember that food treats are not the only rewards available. Once pets learn a skill, incorporate alternative rewards. Give it attention or toss it a ball. There is more to rewards than treats.

Q: Our dog knows tricks such as how to shake a paw and play dead. He shows these tricks off enthusiastically to our friends. When I ask him to do obedience, he acts as if it is a chore. Why is he so willing to show off tricks, but hates doing work?

A: Attitude during training can significantly influence results. The difference between a trick and obedience is similar to the contrast between penmanship and art class. Both require the skilful use of a pencil, but one is far more fun.

The line between obedience and tricks is just as blurry. Dogs commonly shake a paw one minute, then refuse to offer that same paw for a nail trim. Play dead gets enthusiastic compliance while lie down is hit or miss.

Many service dogs routinely perform a wide variety of tricks from picking up laundry to turning lights on and off. In these situations, tricks are essential skills that benefit people in need. Tricks sound far less frivolous when presented in a different light.

In reality, they are all tricks. Presentation and owner attitude are the only things that change. Shake a paw routinely receives laughter, praise and attention. Sits are typically expected and ignored.

If a dog sees an exercise as a chore, then usually it is because it has been presented as such.

Save the date:

The Ontario SPCA Friends for Life! fundraiser walk-a-thon takes place May 25 at Coronation Park, at Lake Shore Blvd. W and Strachan Ave., Toronto. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The 3-km walk follows the Martin Goodman Trail. Register online at

Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Write her at