Many of our clients wonder when they can stop using treats during training. The reality is that treats should remain a powerful tool throughout your dog’s life, especially for recall training. Understanding how to use treats effectively can transform even the most “stubborn” dog into a reliable responder.

Why Treats Are Essential for Recall Training

Building Positive Associations Through Classical Conditioning

Recall training asks your dog to drop whatever they’re doing and come back to you instantly. This is no small request, especially when your dog is engaged in something exciting, such as playing with other dogs or investigating interesting smells. But recall works differently than other cues because it relies on classical conditioning, the same principle Pavlov discovered with his famous dogs and bells.

When we pair the recall cue closely with high-value food rewards, we create an automatic emotional response. Your dog develops “food feelings” that compel them to respond before their brain has time to consider other options. This automatic response is what makes recall different from other training and why treats are so crucial. 

Competing with Distractions

Your dog’s motivation often lies in their immediate environment. A Coonhound following a scent trail or a Golden Retriever playing with another dog isn’t being stubborn. They’re being driven by their natural instincts. High-value treats give you a chance to compete with these powerful motivators.

Communication Tool, Not Bribery

Many people worry that using treats is just bribery, but rewards are actually a form of communication. By consistently pairing verbal praise with treats, you build your dog’s understanding and enjoyment of the training process. Over time, your dog will respond even when you don’t have treats in hand because they’ve learned that rewards come eventually.

Understanding Your Dog’s Motivation

Know Your Breed

The first step in effective recall training is understanding what drives your dog. Different breeds were developed for different purposes:

• Hounds may be more motivated by scent work than treats
• Retrievers often respond well to food rewards and praise
• Terriers might prefer toy-based rewards
• Herding breeds may be motivated by movement and games

Experiment with Different Rewards

Not all treats are created equal, and what excites your dog at home might not work in a distracting outdoor environment. You need to build a hierarchy of rewards:

• Low-value treats: Regular kibble for easy, indoor training
• Medium-value treats: Standard dog treats for moderate distractions
• High-value treats: String cheese, hot dogs, or soft, smelly treats for challenging situations

Some dogs are more play-driven than food-motivated. For these dogs, incorporate toys, games like tug or fetch, or even the freedom to continue playing as rewards.

The Strategic Use of Treats in Recall Training

Always Have Something Better to Offer

This is the golden rule of recall training. Your dog needs to believe that coming to you is always more rewarding than whatever they’re currently doing. If your dog is relaxing, a belly rub might be sufficient. If they’re playing with an exciting toy, you need something even more valuable, like a bully stick or special treat.

Vary Your Rate of Reinforcement

As your dog becomes more experienced with recall, you can begin to randomize when you give treats. This actually makes the behavior stronger because your dog never knows when the “jackpot” is coming. However, you should never completely phase out rewards. Just vary them.

Use the Right Timing

When first teaching recall, treat your dog immediately every time they respond. As they improve, you can delay the reward slightly, but always follow through on it. The key is building a strong reinforcement history so your dog trusts that the reward is coming.

The Critical Importance of Follow-Through

Before diving into training steps, it’s crucial to understand the biggest mistake dog owners make: calling their dog when they know the dog won’t respond. Picture this scenario: your dog runs off after a squirrel, and you shout, “Fluffy, COME! Come here right now!” Of course, your dog ignores you, as you expected, and keeps on going. Or your dog discovers the remains of last night’s barbecue in the park; again, you shout, “Come here! I have treats for you – COME!” Again, they ignore you because their “treats” are better than yours.

Every time you give a recall cue that your dog ignores, you’re actually training them that the cue is optional. This is why proper progression is so important. You must set your dog up for success at every stage.

The Long-Term Role of Treats

Maintenance Training

Even after your dog has mastered recall, continue using treats periodically. Think of this as maintenance training. You’re reinforcing the behavior and keeping your dog motivated. Just like you wouldn’t expect to work without pay, your dog appreciates being rewarded for their efforts. (Psst. I never truly phase out treats. You can catch me with a sneaky treat in my pocket most days.)

Situational High-Value Rewards

Always be prepared with extra-special treats for challenging situations. If you’re walking past a barking dog or in a busy area, having high-value rewards ready can mean the difference between a successful recall and a failed one.

Building Lifelong Reliability

Dogs that are consistently rewarded for recall throughout their lives maintain stronger, more reliable responses. The goal isn’t to eliminate treats but to use them strategically to keep your dog’s enthusiasm for training.

Conclusion

Treats aren’t a crutch in recall training. They are a powerful communication tool that helps build a strong, reliable response. By understanding your dog’s motivations, using high-value rewards strategically, and maintaining positive associations throughout their life, you can develop a recall that works even in the most challenging situations. Really.

Remember, a dog with excellent recall isn’t one who works for free. It’s a dog who trusts responding to their human is always worthwhile. Keep those treats handy, vary your rewards, and celebrate every successful recall. Your dog’s safety and your peace of mind are worth far more than the cost of a few treats.