Do I have to use treats to train?

Yes! If you want to train without punishment, food is essential. Praise and affection alone are rarely enough to motivate a dog to learn new behaviors. Another advantage of food is that you can use it to guide the dog into position. Food therefore has two roles: as a target ("lure") and as a reward.

Will I always have to use treats?

Yes, behavior is dependent on consequences, so maintaining established behaviors with concealed intermittent rewards is a must. However, you will not have to use them as frequently as you do for a new behavior. Over time, you can expect more behaviors for fewer treats. You can also incorporate other forms of reinforcement into training such as toys, smells, and access to locations, dogs, or people.

What if my dog doesn't like treats?

All animals are food motivated because they need to eat to survive. However, it is common for dogs to be disinterested in treats during training for a variety of reasons such as:

- Your dog is not hungry - Train before meal times or use meals as reinforcement.

- Your dog doesn't like the treats you're using - Try a different or higher-value treat.

- Your dog is too distracted - Move farther away from distractions.

- Your dog is afraid - Train when and where your dog feels safe.

Where should I train?

Start training new behaviors in a low-distraction environment like your home, where your dog can focus and succeed. Once they’re reliable, gradually “proof” the behavior by practicing in increasingly distracting environments such as the backyard, then a quiet street and then at the park.

If you never practice at the park, don’t expect your dog to perform there.

How often should I train?

Short sessions of 5-10 minutes are ideal for most dogs. Some behaviors may need even shorter sessions, while others can go longer.

Train as frequently as works for your schedule, daily practice is great but taking a day or two off can also help your dog absorb what they’ve learned.

Should I use corrections to proof my dog’s training after I use treats?

No. Starting with treats and later switching to force (such as choke, prong, or shock collars) is unnecessary and counterproductive. It can confuse your dog, damage trust, and lead to unwanted side effects such as increased fear and aggression.

All you really need is patience and consistent practice using positive reinforcement in new locations, contexts and around real-life distractions. This approach is kinder, more effective long-term, and helps build confidence, reliability, and a stronger bond with your dog.

Our app give you 4 positive ways to proof your dog’s skills:

- Repeat completed plans using Proof steps which focus only on the hardest parts of a plan.

- Play Proofing games that mix cues from multiple plans so your dog truly learns to listen instead of guessing.

- Review any goals that turn blue on the home screen. These are the skills your dog needs extra practice with.

- Ask family and friends to train with you using proof steps or games.