Train N Treat: Why Do We Use Food Rewards in Training?

From Tuesday 1 Oct 2013, cheerfuldogs.com will post a "Train N Treat" column which will be available every alternate Tuesday until "the cows come home". We hope that you'll enjoy the little training secrets that Chief Cheery Officer Kiyo, will share with you. If he hasn't approved the training method, it's not going into our trainer's toolkit :)!

Today, in our dog-friendly training tip for enlightened dog lovers - Kiyo shares the secret of why food rewards can be powerful motivators.

Using food rewards to teach Kiyo impulse control

"A dog can have different motivators to help it learn, e.g. food, play, a chance to chase something, a car ride, etc. When a dog starts learning something new, we choose the reward that motivates the dog most in that situation. 

For many dogs, food is one of the strongest natural rewards. Think of it this way - when you start a new job, your strongest motivator may be the salary. As you get better at your job, your priorities may begin to shift and you could become more motivated by other factors - enjoying your colleagues' company or appreciating the staff benefits. At the highest level, when you're thoroughly enjoying what you do, you work for job satisfaction.

For CCO Kiyo, food, car rides, swimming 
are some of his favourite motivators

Similarly, a food reward to a food-motivated dog is like the initial salary - it pays well and sets the pace of learning. As the dog gets better at performing the desired behaviour, food rewards may become integrated with other rewards (e.g. a game of tug with you, a tummy rub, etc.). The behaviour eventually becomes second nature to your dog. However, just as you wouldn't appreciate not being paid a salary when performing well at work has become second nature to you, neither should you expect your dog to completely forfeit its tangible rewards. That's when you put in place a 'variable bonus' reward system - better performances earn better rewards. That way, your dog continues to work willingly and cheerfully, as you and your dog hone your skills together, as a family."

Question:

What other kinds of rewards does your dog love?