Okay girl, can we talk about dog training for a sec? When I first started my family’s new pup (named Rudolph), I was totally overwhelmed! Between jumbling online classes, working as a waitress, maintaining some kind of social life, and trying to keep my mom’s plants alive (RIP succulent #3), figuring out how to properly train a dog felt like adding another full-time job to my plate.
But here’s the game-changing stat that transformed my approach: Dogs trained with positive reinforcement are not only happier, but they learn new behaviors 3x faster than those trained with old-school methods! Trust me, I’ve been there – standing in the treat aisle, completely confused about what to buy, wondering if I’m accidentally turning my dog into a treat-obsessed monster (spoiler alert: you’re not!).
So grab your favorite beverage, and let’s chat about everything you need to know about rewarding your four-legged bestie during training! 💕🐾
The Tea on Training Treats (What Actually Works!)
Let’s start with the basics – what treats should you actually use? Because let’s be real, those tiny, boring kibble pieces aren’t going to cut it when your pup is distracted by literally everything at the dog park.
Here are my ride-or-die training treats that have never let me down (and I am not affiliate associated with them, so trust me on this, babe!):
- Farm To Pet’s chicken, turkey, & beef dog treats (single ingredient each!)
- Bocce’s Bakery Bacn’ Nutty (this recipe also has the dog’s favorite ingredient: peanut butter)
- Stella & Chewy’s Beef Liver Treats (freeze-dried liver sounds gross, but dogs go CRAZY for it)
Pro tip: Keep treats small. You’re gonna feel like you’re not giving them what they deserve for their hard work, but trust me – you want your pup to be able to eat it quickly and get back to learning. Plus, don’t let them become a chunky and unhealthy puppy. They gotta look their best to feel like they’re at their best. Take it from their fabulous professional owner!
Timing is Everything, Queen
Okay, here’s where most of us mess up (myself included!). You have 1-3 seconds to reward your dog after they do something right. SECONDS! I know it’s hard to remember if you rewarded them every time since you’re juggling rewarding and trying to get the perfect Instagram story of your furry friend’s progress. But you’ve got this!
Here’s how to nail your timing:
- Keep treats easily accessible (invest in a cute treat pouch – you can easily find cute ones from Amazon)
- Mark the behavior IMMEDIATELY with a word like “Yes!” or a clicker–your dog will associate the click or “Yes!” with the behavior you’re treating them for so they don’t get confused
- Then deliver the treat within that three-second window
And please, for the love of all things cute and furry, make your praise voice WAY more excited than feels natural. Yes, people at the dog park might look at you funny when you’re squealing “YAAAAS QUEEN!” at your dog for sitting, but guess whose dog is going to have a rock-solid sit? That’s right – yours!
Beyond Basic Treats (Because Your Pup is Extra)
Look, some dogs are like that friend who’s always on a diet – they’re just not that into food rewards. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with some alternative rewards that work just as well:
- Favorite toys (keep a special one just for training!)
- Sticking with enthusiastic praise (channel your inner cheerleader)
- Quick play sessions
- Belly rubs (if your dog actually likes them)
- Permission to sniff that fascinating fire hydrant or chase that squirrel taunting them
The key is figuring out what makes YOUR dog tick. Rudolph would literally climb Mount Everest for a Farm To Pet chicken chip, while Oreo (our other older doggo) basically rolls her eyes at treats but will do anything for 10 seconds with her favorite ball.
When Training Gets Tricky (Problem-Solving Like a Boss)
Let’s talk about those moments when training isn’t exactly Instagram-worthy:
The “Only Listens When I Have Treats” Phase:
This is totally normal! Think of treats (or alternatives) like training wheels – you might need them at first, but eventually, you’ll phase them out.
And remember, positive reinforcement works! From the very beginning of your training journey with your pup, praise them so they know they did a great thing.
The “Too Excited to Focus” Moments:
Been there! If your pup is too amped to concentrate, you’re probably in too challenging of an environment. Take a step back and practice in a quieter place first. Your living room might be boring to you, but it’s the perfect training spot!
The “Judgy People at the Dog Park” Situation:
Listen up – using treats doesn’t make you a bad dog mom. You know what makes you a bad dog mom? Not training your dog at all. Keep your head high and those treats ready!
Level Up Your Training Game
Ready to take your training to the next level? Here are some pro tips that’ll make you look like a dog training influencer (minus the ring light and sponsored posts):
Create a Training Schedule That Actually Works:
- Morning: Quick 5-minute session before work (basic commands)
- Evening: 10 minutes of new skills practice
- Weekend: “Field trips” to practice in new environments
Phase Out Constant Treating:
- Start with treating every time
- Move to every other time
- Then every few times
- Finally, random rewards (but keep the praise coming!)
The Bottom Line
Here’s the thing, girlfriend – you’ve totally got this! Training your dog doesn’t have to be a source of stress or confusion. By mastering these reward techniques, you’ll build an amazing bond with your pup while creating a well-behaved companion who makes your life better (and your Instagram feed cuter!).
Remember, every dog mom (and doggo aunt!) started somewhere, and it’s okay if everything isn’t perfect right away. Start with these tips, trust your instincts, and don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way!
Need more dog training inspo? Drop a comment below with your biggest training challenge! 🐶✨
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