Should we use food in training
In the sphere of dog training we are bombarded with different methods, opinions, and strong beliefs, and few topics are more controversial than the use of food rewards. Some trainers swear by treats, while others—especially in the gundog world—avoid them entirely, arguing that food creates over-excitement or distracts dogs from the work they are doing.
There is no doubt that food can be really effective when used properly in training, but it needs to be used carefully and in a controlled way to prevent problems arising. I’ve also seen how easily it can create problems when used without structure. This blog explores where treats shine, where they can cause trouble, and how to use them in a balanced, thoughtful way.
When dogs learn because of food and become food dependant
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool, and food is often the easiest reinforcer to use. But many dogs end up learning the wrong lesson: “I do this behaviour for food,” rather than “The cue tells me what to do and doing it earns reinforcement and reward, which might be food.”
This is why some dogs respond beautifully when the treat pouch appears but ignore the same cue when your hands are empty. They haven’t learned the cue properly. They’ve learned the presence of food.
This becomes especially obvious in real-world environments where food has to compete with wildlife, scents, people, or other dogs. A bit of meat simply isn’t as exciting as a flapping bird.
One of the biggest risks with food-heavy training is creating a dog who only listens when treats are visible. If every cue is followed by food, the dog learns to expect it and may refuse to work without it.
Signs of reward dependency include:
refusal to perform without treats
selective listening
behaviours not happening in new environments
dogs “negotiating” or waiting for better rewards
The goal of training is reliability, not bribery. Treats should reinforce behaviour, not become the only reason the dog performs it.
When treats push dogs into over-arousal
We often assume food calms or focuses a dog, but for many, it does the opposite. Highly food-motivated dogs can tip into frantic, over-aroused behaviour such as:
lunging toward pockets or treat bags
jumping up
whining or barking
staring obsessively at your hands
performing random behaviours
In this state, dogs are not thinking, they are reacting. Their learning shuts down, and frustration increases. For dogs already prone to excitability or reactivity, this can make things worse.
Treats can create tension between dogs
Food is a valuable resource, and dogs know it. When high-value treats appear in group classes, multi-dog homes, or busy training spaces, you may see:
guarding of the handler
snapping or growling during treat delivery
tension around other dogs
competitive arousal spirals
This isn’t bad behaviour, it’s natural resource management. But it can create conflict if not handled carefully.
Food can hide handler mistakes
Treats can temporarily mask unclear communication. A dog may respond because the food is obvious, not because they understand the cue. This can hide issues such as:
over-reliance on luring
unclear criteria
inconsistent cues
poor timing
When treats are removed, the behaviour often stops, not because the dog is stubborn, but because the teaching wasn’t clear.
Health and emotional side effects
Using lots of high-value treats can also have physical consequences. Weight gain, digestive upset, and inflammation can all affect behaviour. Dogs who feel unwell may:
show reduced motivation
become more irritable or reactive
avoid training environments associated with discomfort
Some dogs also habituate to high-value food, meaning you need bigger and better treats to keep their attention, a cycle that’s hard to maintain.
How treat use influences everyday life
Treats don’t just shape behaviour in training sessions. They influence behaviour everywhere. Unstructured use can accidentally reinforce:
begging
counter-surfing
food stealing
mealtime chaos
pestering children for snacks
Dogs are always learning, whether we intend it or not.
Should we stop using treats? No!
Food is one of the most effective training tools we have. Research consistently supports reward-based methods, especially for building confidence and teaching new behaviours.
The key is balance and structure, not elimination.
Better practice includes:
reinforcing a marker for good behaviour
building engagement based on relationship, not transactions
gradually shifting to not using food every time
using non-food life rewards like sniffing, play or praise
rewarding calm emotional states, not frantic behaviour
The balanced way forward
Food is powerful and needs thoughtful use. Without structure, treats can create arousal, frustration, guarding, and dependency.
The most effective training uses food as one tool among many others, not the foundation of the relationship. Find out what your dog really enjoys, fade out food and use these activities to communicate with and reward them. When your dog understands what you want and finds the rewards reinforcing, your relationship and mutual understanding will deepen and training will become so much more rewarding for both of you.
