Unleashing the Power of High Value Treats in Training and Behaviour Modification
Understanding Treat Values
Treats are the currency of communication in dog behaviour modification and training, with each treat holding a different value in your dog's eyes. High-value treats are the crème de la crème, while low-value treats still hold appeal but lack the same excitement factor.
Tailoring Treats to Your Dog's Preferences
The kind of training treats you use when training your dog can make a big difference in how successful your training sessions are. Every dog is an individual all will find a treat reinforcing where others wont. By choosing the appropriate treat for training we can help our dogs be more successful, help to correctly reinforce behaviours and aid with focus and engagement when around triggers and distractions.
A common question that pops up a lot with my clients is "What kind of treat should they use with their dogs?" With so many options available, it can be hard to know what dog treats you should buy.
There is a simple answer to this question. Use whatever training treat your dog finds rewarding and reinforcing.
You may have heard of "high value" vs. "low value" training treats — this is referring to the value your dog places in each food reward, not the $. You'll want to figure out what treats your dog finds more valuable than others.
High-value treats more often then not tend to be moist, extra smelly and something your dog doesn't get very often (if at all) outside of training sessions. Think tiny pieces of bbq chicken, prime100 roll, cheese, or freeze dried treats.
When to use HIGH VALUE TREATS
When first introducing a new behavior, In distracting environments, such as puppy class, cafes, vets etc
During important socialization and proactive exposure training for puppies, When counter conditioning as part of a behavior modification plan for leash reactivity, aggression, anxiety, or fear based behaviours.
A fun way to work out, which training treats your dog find high value you can set up a taste test and try a few options out.
A few high value treats we recommend:
Prime 100 Roll
Prime SPD air dried
K9 Natural
BBQ Chicken
Sausages
Cheese
Bacon
Ziwi Peak
The Importance of High-Value Treats in Reactive Dog Training
Reactive dog training presents unique challenges, requiring careful management of a dog's emotional responses to triggers or stimuli. High-value treats play a pivotal role in this process for several reasons:
Increased Engagement and Focus:
Reactive dogs often struggle to maintain focus in stressful or distracting environments. High-value treats offer an irresistible incentive, capturing the dog's attention and encouraging them to engage with their trainer/pet parent despite potential triggers.
Positive Association Building:
Reactivity in dogs can stem from fear, anxiety, or past negative experiences. High-value treats allow trainers/pet parents to create positive associations with previously fear-inducing stimuli. By pairing these treats with triggers at a safe distance, dogs learn to associate the presence of triggers with positive outcomes, gradually reducing their reactivity over time.
Effective Counterconditioning:
Counterconditioning is a cornerstone of reactive dog training, aiming to change the dog's emotional response to triggers. High-value treats serve as powerful rewards during counterconditioning exercises, reinforcing desired calm behaviors and facilitating the dog's ability to remain relaxed in challenging situations.
Dog behaviour modifiaction training can be challenging, but discovering what motivates your dog and holds their attention is crucial to set both you and your dog up for success. Treats are a powerful tool in training, serving as effective motivators.