How Food Can Impact your Dog Training: Making the most out of your dog’s Love Language

There can be several reasons why we would think twice before opening up the motherload of treats, ranging from concerns about calories, ruining their appetite for their main meal, or even just some unconscious bias on ‘why should I have to bribe or pay my dog to do things I ask?’ But the fact of the matter is, your dog’s love language is likely food. And by holding back on using it in your aggressive or reactive dog training sessions, you could be holding back the success of the training itself!

Food as the Ultimate Motivator for Dogs and Humans

Tapping into Survival for Dog Training

Let’s start with the basics – survival. Food is the ultimate motivator because, quite simply, it’s essential for life. For both dogs and humans, the drive to eat is deeply ingrained. From a dog’s perspective, food isn’t just a treat; it’s a survival resource.

Your dog’s ancestors were built to work for their food as village dogs who scavenged for scraps. This instinct is still alive and well in our domesticated dogs, even as they lounge on the couch in your HDB flat in Singapore (think of how quick Buster is when you leave out some scraps on the kitchen counter!).

When you use food in training, you’re tapping into this primal instinct. So rather than thinking of it as a bribe, think of it as using a powerful, natural motivator to communicate effectively with your dog. Just like how you might work extra hard knowing there is a promotion at the end of the year, your dog too will be more engaged in your training session, if they know that these sessions usually mean there is some yummy treats to earn.

As a side note: For those of you that have dogs that seem less motivated by food, I would encourage you to get investigate this further. As mentioned, food is necessary for survival, and if a dog is actively avoiding it or reluctant to take it, there might be more serious things going on causing this behavior.

1. Get a vet check – there could be an underlying medical reason causing them to refuse or be picky about food
2. Test out different foods/treats to see if your dog has a preference for something in particular
   1. Dogs like us have preferences, although you can’t really go wrong with anything high protein and/or stinky (think meat or cheese)
3. Check your environment: if you’re trying to get your dog’s attention with a dry biscuit, while out in the stimulating park, you might struggle – for high distraction/high stimulation environments you need higher value food
4. Work with a certified dog behaviorist to build the behavior of eating while training. Eating is a behavior and can be taught!

Tapping into Social Connection for Dog Training

Food isn’t just about survival; it’s also a social connector. Think about how we humans bond over meals – whether it’s having kopi with friends at a local cafe or gathering with family for a festive meal.

For dogs, food plays a similar role in building trust and strengthening relationships. When you give your dog a treat, you’re not just feeding them; you’re reinforcing your bond with them.

Eating food triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters in a dog’s brain that can influence their mood and behavior. One of the most important neurotransmitters involved is dopamine, which plays a key role in the brain’s reward system.

When a dog eats a tasty treat or food, it causes a surge of dopamine release. Dopamine creates positive feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, helping the dog associate the food with the person providing it or the environment where it was consumed.

(This is why food can at times be a very useful tool when working with changing how dogs feel about other dogs or people to reduce their aggressive or reactive behavior.)

This positive association can reinforce the behavior you are teaching and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

How Dog Training Can Be Made More Effective with Food

1. Consistency and Predictability

Imagine you’re learning a new skill – say, trying to master a complex spreadsheet for work. Every time you get a formula right, your boss gives you a thumbs up, but nothing more. Now, imagine instead, every time you nail that formula, your boss hands you a $50 voucher to your favorite restaurant. Which scenario is going to keep you motivated? Exactly.

For dogs, food works in much the same way. When you consistently reward your dog with a treat every time they perform a desired behavior, you’re reinforcing that behavior strongly. The more predictable the reward, the faster your dog will learn.

2. Using High-Value Treats for Better Results

Not all treats are created equal in the eyes (or nose) of your dog. When training in environments with higher distractions, such as during a stroll along East Coast Park or amidst the hustle and bustle of Little India, using high-value treats can make all the difference. These are the treats your dog considers absolute gold – think bits of boiled chicken, cheese, or even a small piece of their favorite jerky.

The higher the value of the treat, the more willing your dog will be to perform the behavior you’re asking for, even in the face of distractions. It’s like how you’d probably work harder for a promotion if it came with a significant bonus rather than just a pat on the back. By using high-value treats strategically, you can make sure your dog is always motivated to learn, no matter where you are in Singapore.

3. Cementing Learning Through Positive Associations

One of the most powerful aspects of using food in training is how it helps cement learning through positive associations. When your dog consistently receives a treat after performing a behavior, they start to associate that action with a positive outcome. Over time, this strengthens the behavior, making it more likely that your dog will repeat it in the future.

This is especially important in a place like Singapore, where your dog might encounter a variety of stimuli, from crowded public transport to loud construction noises. By associating positive outcomes (treats) with these potentially stressful situations, you can help your dog remain calm and well-behaved, knowing that good things happen when they keep their cool.

Conclusion

In the end, food isn’t just a tool for bribery; or a nice to have treat every now and then; it’s a powerful motivator that taps into your dog’s basic instincts, strengthens your bond, and enhances the effectiveness of your training sessions. By using food wisely, you can help your dog learn faster, behave better, and feel more connected to you. So the next time you’re tempted to skimp on the treats, remember – your dog’s love language is food, and speaking that language can lead to a happier, better-behaved pet in our vibrant Singaporean community.

For more tips on effective dog training and behavior management, don’t hesitate to reach out or follow the blog. Let’s make the most of your dog’s love language together!