When it comes to positive reinforcement and rewarding your dog for good behavior or learning a new command, treats are obviously the first thing that pet owners tend to rely on. They are convenient and effective, especially when it comes to training your pet. However, it’s easy to lose track of just how much food you’re giving your dog with these treats in combination with their regular feedings. Too much of a good thing can result in your pet becoming overweight or obese, and that brings the risk of health issues that come with having a weight problem.
In addition to weight issues, your pet may also have food that may be hard to keep track of. You may not be able to easily find a treat that contains the proper ingredients.
The use of treats may also cause your dog to become fixated on the treat, rather than performing the desired behavior. This can also lead to begging behavior.
Fortunately, there are other methods of providing your dog rewards that do not involve treats. Here are some alternative ways you can try rewarding your dog while holding off on the treats.
One way of still providing a food-based reward without increasing their overall food consumption is to measure their food and reserve a portion of it for training. This method is best applicable if you feed your dog dry kibble and is especially beneficial if you have a dog that is very food driven and may not respond as well to other methods (at least not yet!). Just measure out all of the kibble that they will be fed for a day and set aside some kibble to be used for training. This way you are still rewarding them with a “treat” but are not increasing their food intake.
Providing some good old snuggle time rewards your dog with warmth and love. Curl up on the couch with a blanket to watch a movie or read a book. Or just give some belly rubs and ear scratches, or wherever their favorite spot is. A good snuggle session enhances the bond between you and your dog and makes them happy.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your furry friend only follows commands when you’ve got a treat in your hand? Trust me you’re not alone! When I first adopted my German Shepherd Max, I thought treats were the only way to get him to listen. Boy, was I wrong!
Training a dog without treats isn’t just possible—it can actually lead to a deeper bond between you and your pup. Today, I’m gonna share some personal experiences and proven techniques that’ll help you transition away from being a walking treat dispenser.
Why Relying Solely on Treats Can Be Problematic
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about why you might want to consider training without treats in the first place.
When I relied exclusively on treats with Max, I noticed a few issues:
- He would only perform commands when he saw food
- He’d constantly check my pockets for treats
- Our relationship seemed based on food transactions
- In high-distraction environments, even the tastiest treats couldn’t compete
As Kimberly Alt from Canine Journal points out, “While food treats may be the easiest way to train a dog, they might not work for every dog and every situation.” This was definitely true for her dog Sally, who was more interested in squirrels and other dogs than any treat when outdoors.
Similarly, Chad Culp, a certified dog trainer from Thriving Canine, refers to dogs that only work for food as “show me the money dogs.” He warns that this approach can actually damage your relationship with your dog and destroy their intrinsic motivation.
Balanced Training Approaches
The key isn’t necessarily eliminating treats completely, but rather creating a balanced approach. Here’s what worked for me with Max:
1. Use Verbal Praise and Affection
Dogs naturally want to please their humans. When Max successfully followed a command, I’d enthusiastically say “Good boy!” and give him plenty of pets and scratches in his favorite spots. The joy in my voice became a powerful reward for him.
2. Implement Leash Guidance
Similar to what Kimberly describes in her training with Sally, I found that using gentle leash cues helped Max understand what I wanted from him. For instance:
- For “sit”: A slight upward tug on the leash while saying the command
- For “down”: Guiding the leash connector to the front of his neck while gently directing downward
- For “come”: A gentle tug toward me while using an excited, welcoming voice
3. Establish Clear Leadership
This was a game-changer for us! Dogs actually feel more secure when they understand their place in the family “pack.” Some ways I established leadership with Max:
- Keeping him on leash initially during training periods
- Having him “work” for privileges like going outside or playing
- Teaching him boundaries around furniture (temporarily)
- Maintaining consistency with commands and expectations
As the Canine Journal article mentions, “To establish alpha status, you have to show your dog that you are in charge” While this might sound strict, it actually helped us develop a stronger bond based on mutual respect
Teaching Basic Commands Without Treats
Let’s break down how to teach some fundamental commands without relying on food rewards:
Sit & Stay
- Have your dog on leash
- Use a slight upward tug toward their back while saying “sit” once
- Once sitting, hold your hand out in front of them and say “stay”
- If they get up, gently guide them back to the sitting position without repeating the command
- Praise enthusiastically when they maintain the position
- Gradually increase the duration they hold the position
I found that practicing sit-stays for 30 minutes daily with Max was incredibly effective. At first it seemed like a long time, but he actually began to relax and sometimes even fall asleep, which is a great sign of trust!
Down
- Start with your dog in a sit position
- Bring the collar and leash connector to the front of the neck
- Guide your dog downward while saying “down” once
- Provide gentle pressure until they comply
- Reward with affection and praise
- Practice down-stays for increasing durations
Come
The “come” command should always be positive! I messed up with this at first by calling Max to come when I was frustrated, which made him reluctant to respond.
Here’s a better approach:
- Put your dog in a sit-stay
- Walk to the end of the leash
- Get down to their level in a squatting position
- Say “[name], come” in a happy, inviting voice
- If needed, give gentle tugs until they reach you
- Provide enthusiastic praise and affection when they arrive
Leave It
This command has saved me countless times with Max—from dropped food to potentially dangerous items.
- When your dog shows interest in something they shouldn’t have, say “leave it” firmly
- If needed, give a slight leash tug to redirect attention
- When they look away from the object, praise immediately
- Practice with increasingly tempting items
Fading the Lure
If you’ve previously used treats, you don’t have to go cold turkey. Chad Culp suggests “fading the lure” as an effective transition strategy:
- Begin by showing the hand gesture you’d use with a treat, but don’t actually have a treat
- When your dog performs the behavior, reward them with praise and possibly a treat from your pocket (not your gesturing hand)
- Gradually transition to an intermittent reinforcement schedule (sometimes giving treats, sometimes not)
- Always pair any treats with petting and praise
As Chad puts it, we want to move “from being a vending machine to a slot machine.”
Intrinsic Motivation: The Ultimate Goal
The most rewarding aspect of training without treats has been watching Max develop intrinsic motivation—doing things because he wants to please me, not just for food.
Thriving Canine emphasizes that overusing food “can destroy any intrinsic motivation that would have otherwise been even more powerful than food.” I’ve found this to be absolutely true!
Some ways to build intrinsic motivation:
- Use play as a reward (tug of war, fetch, etc.)
- Provide life rewards (going outside, sniffing something interesting)
- Create a genuine bond through consistent, positive interactions
- Make training sessions fun and engaging
Important Things to Remember
A few tips that helped me during our treat-free training journey:
- Consistency is key. As Kimberly notes, “it takes 2 weeks to create a new habit for a dog.” Stick with it!
- Be patient. Some commands will take longer than others to master.
- Always end training on a positive note. Even if progress is slow, find something to praise.
- Keep sessions short but frequent. 5-10 minute sessions multiple times a day work better than one long session.
- Never repeat commands. Say it once and help them follow through if needed.
My Personal Experience
When I first tried to wean Max off treats, I thought it would be impossible. He would stare at my hands or pockets, waiting for food to appear. The first few days were challenging, but by consistently using praise, affection, and clear guidance, I noticed a shift in our relationship.
Now, Max responds to commands because he wants to work with me. Don’t get me wrong—he still loves his treats! But they’re more like occasional bonuses rather than payment for every action.
When Might Treats Still Be Useful?
While I’ve had great success with treat-free training, there are still times when treats come in handy:
- Initial teaching of a new, complex behavior
- During particularly challenging environments
- For specialized training (like agility)
- As occasional surprises to maintain enthusiasm
The key is that treats should be a tool in your training toolbox, not the only tool you rely on.
Final Thoughts
Can you train a dog without treats? Absolutely! In many cases, you might even develop a stronger bond with your four-legged friend in the process.
As Kimberly Alt wisely notes, “If you find your dog only responds to treats, that is perfectly okay.” Every dog is different, and what works for one might not work for another. The goal is finding what creates the best relationship between you and your unique pup.
Have you tried training without treats? What methods worked best for your dog? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Remember, the best reward you can give your dog isn’t in a treat bag—it’s the loving relationship you build together through consistent, respectful training.
A Favorite Toy or a New Toy
Using toys instead of treats adds the element of play and games to your dog’s “work.” When dogs relate their obedience training to play, they can be more driven, more confident, and less stressed, which in turn means a happier dog. Toys can be used as a target for working dogs to get them to go to their mark. Toys also offer the advantage of being able to reward your dog from a distance. You can throw them a ball, but they would need to come back to you to get their treat. New toys provide stimulation and excitement.
What dog doesn’t love hearing an enthusiastic “good boy!” or “good girl!” from their master? Hearing this praise makes them happy and motivated to continue pleasing their owner with desired behavior. Even if your dog is not as responsive to praise at first, if combined with a treat or toy they will soon become praise seekers.
Similar to petting, brushing feels really good on your dog’s skin and coat. This is another good way to provide reinforcement and motivation by making them feel good and keeping them happy.
The clicker is a small handheld device that makes a “click” noise when pressed. This is used specifically for obedience training in combination with treats at first. Whenever your dog obeys a command, they receive a treat reward while simultaneously hearing the click sound. They soon associate the sound with positive reinforcement and you gradually taper off the treats.
A Trip to the Dog Park or a New Walking Trail
This is another great way to provide exercise and mental stimulation for your dog. Dog parks give your dog a chance to see and smell other dogs, as well as birds, squirrels, and other animals. New walking or hiking trails do the same thing, along with giving them different territory to experience.
Training Your Puppy WITHOUT TREATS!!
FAQ
Can you train a dog without treats?
For more dog tips and advice, here’s everything you need to know about training a dog without treats and how to make your own homemade dog treats. These nutritious treats are perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs – made from human-grade ingredients and free from corn, grain, wheat, and soy.
Can you train a dog in obedience without treats?
Without proper motivation, training a dog in obedience can feel impossible. You need something to grab their attention and get them listening, and when treats don’t do the trick, it’s time to switch tactics. The good news is, treats aren’t your only tool when it comes to training. Try these tips to tame your treat-resistant dog.
How to train a dog with treats?
Make sure to use the best dog bath grooming products. If you want to brush up on your training beforehand, here’s how to train a dog with treats. These low-calorie treats are ideal for training and packed with plenty of protein. What’s more, they’re also free from soy, corn and wheat so every dog can enjoy.
Can dogs learn without treats?
You can use anything your dog likes as a reward. That could be tug, fetch, sniffing, digging, fuss, play with other dogs or literally anything else. So if your dog’s on a restricted diet for any reason you can still reward them for desirable behaviours without using treats.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for dog training?
The 3-3-3 rule helps set expectations: 3 Days — Decompression: Your dog may be nervous, sleep a lot, or not eat much. Give them a quiet space and a simple routine. 3 Weeks — Settling In: They start exploring and testing boundaries. Use positive reinforcement and keep a consistent schedule.
How to train a dog that can’t have treats?
Should you give dogs treats when training?
As any dog owner will tell you, dog treats are almost always the most effective way to reward your dog during training. While some dogs are more food motivated than others, the incentive to get a treat for their good behavior makes puppies and dogs eager to learn.