Using treats to counter-condition reactive dogs is perhaps the simplest and most effective method in shaping our pups' response to triggers. Most of us use a lot of food in the early stages of training as it assists in maintaining a positive environment for our reactive pups.
However, do you know what your dog's favourite type of treat is? Well, we're here to help you figure out their favourite treats using a food-filled and relationship-building activity - the Paw-Approved Treat Trials!
While this isn't a necessity, it's definitely a fun way to learn about your pup's food preferences, which in turn, will improve your training experience.
The Treat Hierarchy
Even our most food-crazed pups will have some treat preferences, especially when it comes to high-pressure situations that trigger their reactivity. The purpose of this activity is to categorise different rewards into three tiers: Low Value, Medium Value, and High Value.
Let the Game Begin
Step 1: Prepare a Variety of Treats for Testing
Start by assembling a range of treat options to test your dog's preferences. Include at least two different food items from each category of treats: dry kibble, crunchy biscuits, pressed soft chews, fresh foods, and any other favourites your dog already loves. Make sure you prepare 6–8 small, pea-sized pieces of each treat for consistency. The more options you have, the more accurate your results will be in identifying the ultimate high-value treat for your dog.
Step 2: Start the Snack Showdown
Begin the treat comparison by selecting two lower-value options to introduce first. Present both treats to your dog at the same time and observe which one your dog chooses to eat first. The chosen treat becomes the “winner” of this round. Continue the process by having the winning treat compete against a new option in subsequent rounds. This head-to-head competition will help you determine the ultimate favourite of your pooch, revealing the treat that they find most irresistible.
We've created an example of the Paw-Approved Treat Trial below, which showcases kibble, carrots, hotdogs, strawberries, chicken, and cheese.
Please keep in mind when doing this activity with your pup that they should only eat cheese in moderation (small amounts), alongside only using a low-fat and low-sodium mozzarella or cheddar.
In the above example, we have only tested the different types of treats once. If you want to make this activity last a bit longer or you want a more in-depth perspective on your pup's treat preferences, you can repeat rounds where each round is best two out of three. You can also put losing treats up against each other to get an even deeper understanding on what treats your dog may prefer.
We hope you enjoy this fun little activity to do with your dog and if you do, be sure to tag us on Instagram so that we can see your Paw-Approved Treat Trial!
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