The title might seem like a trick question, but there’s a valid concern behind it. Some dogs do gain excessive weight due to overfeeding—especially when high-calorie treats are given in addition to their regular meals. Even a few extra pounds can push a dog into the overweight or obese category, which is why it’s crucial to strike a balance. While we want a well-trained dog, we don’t want a pudgy one! That said, many dogs are trained daily without becoming overweight.
So, What’s the Secret?
By following these guidelines, you can continue using treats as training rewards while keeping your dog’s weight in check.
Why Do Reward-Based Trainers Use Food?
Food is one of the most effective motivators in training because every living being needs and enjoys it. However, if your dog doesn’t seem food-motivated, there could be several reasons:
- Health Issues – Your dog may have digestive problems or an upset stomach. Consult your vet if you suspect this.
- Overfeeding – Some dogs naturally stop eating when they’re full, which might explain their lack of interest in treats.
- Boredom with Food – If your dog only eats enough to sustain itself but shows little enthusiasm, the food may not be exciting enough.
- Food Discomfort – Some foods simply don’t sit well with certain dogs (see #1).
If your dog isn’t food-motivated, try skipping a meal or two—you’ll likely see a noticeable change in interest. Dogs are opportunistic feeders by nature, meaning they’re wired to eat when food is available rather than adhering to scheduled meals like humans.
Using Food in Training
Food is one of the strongest motivators in positive reinforcement training. While there are other reward options, food is practical because it allows for immediate reinforcement, which is essential for effective learning. However, there are a few key rules to keep in mind:
Rule #1: Account for Training Treats in Daily Calories
Training treats should be part of your dog’s daily caloric intake—not an addition to it. To track this, measure the amount of food you use during training sessions and deduct that from their next meal.
Rule #2: Use Regular Meals for Training When Possible
You can use your dog’s kibble as training treats, provided they enjoy it. However, kibble may not be ideal for training situations involving fear, anxiety, or aggression—higher-value treats work better in those cases. If you feed raw, using meals for training is impractical.
Additionally, opt for low-calorie treats and cut them into small pieces—pea-sized is sufficient. Some treats contain just 3 calories per bite (if only we had desserts like that!).
Rule #3: Choose Your Reinforcement Wisely
Not all behaviors require a treat every time. For well-established behaviors (e.g., a reliable sit), occasional reinforcement is enough. However, for new behaviors, reward consistently until proficiency is achieved. Keep in mind that if a behavior is no longer reinforced, it will eventually fade (extinction).
Rule #4: Match the Treat to the Task
The value of the treat should correspond to the difficulty of the task. If you’re working on overcoming fear or aggression, kibble won’t cut it—you’ll need high-value treats to make a strong impact.
Rule #5: A Hungry Dog is a Motivated Dog
If your dog isn’t motivated, training will be ineffective. Before long training sessions, classes, or working on challenging behaviors like recall, consider skipping a meal. A slightly hungry dog is much more eager to engage in training.
Rule #6: Think Beyond Food
Food isn’t the only reward you can use in training. Play is an underrated but powerful reinforcer, and most people don’t take full advantage of it. With a little creativity, you can incorporate life rewards—things your dog naturally wants—into training.
For example:
- Ask your dog to wait politely before allowing them outside.
- Reward a calm demeanor by giving access to a favorite toy.
- Release your dog to play after they exhibit a desired behavior.
The Truth About Praise and Petting
We love to talk to our dogs, but they aren’t naturally verbal creatures. Dogs respond to praise because they’ve learned it predicts something better—like food or play. While praise is valuable, it’s typically secondary to more tangible rewards. If we’re honest, we often assume our dogs love verbal praise because we like giving it. But in reality? They’re usually just hoping for the cookie.
By implementing these strategies, you can keep your dog engaged in training without the risk of weight gain. Happy training!