🐶 Dog Training with Rewards: How to Train Positively in 2025 🐾🍖

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Training your dog should be fun, effective, and built on mutual trust 🤝. Whether you're teaching a puppy to sit or guiding an adult dog through behavioral challenges, reward-based training is the gold standard in 2025—and for good reason. 🎯

🥩 What Counts as a Reward?

A reward is anything your dog finds motivating and enjoyable. That might be:

• 🍗 Treats (chicken, freeze-dried liver, cheese, or hot dogs—cut small!)
• 🧸 Toys or games of tug
• 🐕 Verbal praise or a happy voice
• 💤 Access to a comfy spot or cuddles (use these for known behaviors)

For training new skills, food is usually your best tool. Choose something soft, smelly, and high value—especially in distracting environments. And keep treats tiny, like a lentil or a Cheerio, so you can give plenty without overfeeding. 🧠🍬

⏱️ Timing Is Everything

The reward needs to come immediately after the behavior. Even a 2-second delay could confuse your dog. If you’re marking with a clicker or a verbal “Yes!”, that sound acts as a promise that the treat is coming. 🛎️⏳

🔁 Continuous vs Intermittent Reinforcement

• Continuous reinforcement: Reward every time during early learning.
• Intermittent reinforcement: Once your dog is 80–90% consistent, reward occasionally like a slot machine 🎰 to strengthen behavior.

🐕 Three Ways to Teach New Behaviors

1. Capturing: Wait for your dog to naturally do the behavior (like lying down), mark it, and reward. Eventually add a cue like “Down”. 📸
2. Luring: Use a treat to guide your dog into the behavior—like sitting—then mark and reward. Gradually phase out the lure. 🧀➡️🐾
3. Shaping: Reward small steps toward a goal. This is great for complex tasks like agility or going to a mat. 🪜🐕‍🦺

😬 Common Training Hiccups (And Solutions)

• “He knows it but won’t do it!”
  Dogs don’t generalize well. A cue learned indoors may not translate to outdoors. Train in different settings. 🏡🌳
• “He’s ignoring me!”
  There might be something more interesting (hello, squirrel! 🐿️). Use higher-value rewards and manage the environment.
• “He’s being stubborn.”
  Or… he’s confused, anxious, or afraid. Stress can shut down learning. Reward calm behavior and adjust your expectations. 💞
• “He doesn’t come when called!”
  If “Come” always means leaving the park, your dog learns that it's the end of fun. Call them occasionally just for treats, then release them again. 🐾🔁

📚 Top Tips for Training Success

• 🎉 Keep it fun: Always train with a cheerful tone and end sessions on a high note.
• 🐶 Watch body language: If your dog seems anxious (ears back, tail tucked), take a break.
• 🎯 Set small goals: Break complex behaviors into easy, trainable steps.
• 🧠 Be consistent: Use the same cues and reward good behavior every time.
• 🌟 Capture cuteness: Mark and cue adorable natural behaviors (like “Meerkat” for standing on hind legs). 💡

🌈 Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Reward-based training isn't just effective—it's a relationship builder. You're showing your dog that good things happen when they work with you, not against you. ❤️🐕

Have questions or need help building a training plan? Talk to a certified trainer—or get personalized guidance from a vet at AskAVet.com. You can also download the Ask A Vet app to get started. 📲🩺

Let training be a joy—for you and your pup. Start small, stay patient, and celebrate every success. 🐾🎉