What is the reward for a well behaved dog?

Stanley Hessel
2025-07-04 15:12:25
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Rewards are essential when dogs show good behaviour, showing them how much you value them and appreciate their obedience/company. Food treats are arguably nothing a dog loves more than a good edible treat, with the gifting of a snack or juicy bone immediately showing him/her that they have done well. A new walk, in a new park they haven’t been to, will certainly do the trick and give your dog a real treat. A new chew toy as a reward for their good behaviour will always go down a storm. A good old fashioned bit of attention, such as a rub of the belly or pat on the head, will be a welcome way to show them your affection.

Roxane Heaney
2025-06-26 21:53:44
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Treats are effective because they work. Treats are immediate, the feel-good chemical response to treats happens quickly, building a strong association between a behavior and a reward. Treats are transportable, treats are bite-sized. It’s recommended by the Humane Society when training your dog with treats to have treats that your dog loves and to have a variety of treats to keep your dog from getting bored.
Dogs enjoy physical love and affection like a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head. They might respond well to verbal feedback and words of affirmation. Playing catch might be their favorite thing in the world to do, so throwing the ball and letting them retrieve it after they’ve performed a good behavior is another great way to reward your dog.
Give them a treat as soon as the good behavior transpires, so they make a clear association between the behavior and the reward. The reward teaches your dog that you did well right here in this spot / moment. After all, it’s important to reward good dog behavior with good dog treats.

Brant McLaughlin
2025-06-26 18:40:00
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Rewards aren’t just treats, rewards can be any food, praise, affection, toys, or anything your dog finds rewarding. There are even some dogs who love ice chips so much that their owners use ice chips as rewards during training. Affection is a reward and all rewards tell your dog that yes, you like that behavior/state of mind and you’d like to see more of it. Your praise, affection, food and toys will always be perceived as rewards by your dog, and therefore it’s important to stay aware of when you give these rewards. For dogs who are super amped by food, I’ll usually switch to affection as a reward while teaching. Sometimes dogs can’t handle affection either, so if that also sends their state of mind through the roof, then I’ll just use praise—a soft, calm “Good girl!” is all it takes to send the message that yes, I like that behavior. A reward can also be an element of a dog’s lifestyle, like sleeping on the bed. Rewards need to be earned, and dogs with behavioral issues shouldn’t be allowed certain privileges such as sleeping on the bed. If your dog is doing well behaviorally, it’s okay to allow her to sleep in the bed.