“Do you guys value/prioritise food drive in your training?”

This question often arises in discussions about dog training, and my answer might surprise you. The short answer is that I value/prioritise food in my training as much as the dog does. Here’s the long answer. While many trainers prioritise food drive as a crucial component, I approach it from a different angle. I don’t see food drive as something to be prioritised but rather as an invaluable resource that taps into a fundamental aspect of a dog’s existence: the need to eat for survival.

Clarifying the Concepts

Dogs, like young children, don’t distinguish between right and wrong. They learn by associating behaviours with consequences. Unlike children, dogs don’t develop a moral understanding. For this discussion, “good behaviour” is defined as actions leading to favourable outcomes, and “bad behaviour” as those leading to unfavourable outcomes.

Embracing Natural Instincts

Dogs are instinctively driven to seek out food as a means of survival. It’s a primal urge hardwired into their DNA. Recognising and embracing this instinct allows me to create training experiences that resonate deeply with the dogs I work with. Alongside external motivators like praise or playtime, I harness the power of food rewards to align with the dog’s intrinsic needs. For example, I may use food rewards that mimic natural foraging behaviour, making training more engaging and fulfilling for the dog.

Adaptability and Flexibility

One of the greatest advantages of using food drive in training is its adaptability and flexibility. Food rewards can be tailored to suit several factors, such as:

• Dietary Requirements and Nutritional Needs: Ensuring the dog’s health is always a priority.
• Budget, Storage, and Convenience: Making training accessible and sustainable for the owner.

Regardless of age, breed, or background, all dogs need to eat, making food a universally applicable training tool.

Preference for Existential Food

Personally, I prefer to use a dog’s daily meals as rewards rather than relying solely on treats. While treats can be effective in certain situations, using regular food taps into a natural instinct: the need to work for survival. This approach fosters a positive relationship with food and teaches dogs to earn their rewards. For instance, if a dog chooses to stay focused during training, they ‘earn’ their food. This mirrors the natural process of hunting: stay focused, and you succeed; get distracted, and the opportunity is lost.

Clarifying Starving vs. Training

I don’t starve dogs. Starving a dog would mean depriving them of food to the point of harm, and that is not what I do. My goal is to create learning opportunities, not deprivation.

Consideration of Cons in Treat Training

While treats can be useful, there are potential downsides to over-relying on them:

• Overfeeding and Obesity: My aunt’s dogs gained weight despite her regular feeding schedule. It wasn’t until I house-sat for her that I noticed the problem. She was giving the dogs treats throughout the day without adjusting their meal portions. By sticking to measured portions during my stay, the dogs lost weight, highlighting how easy it is to overfeed with treats.
• Dependency on Treats: Dogs can become reliant on treats to the point where they won’t perform without them. I see this when owners don’t transition to intermittent rewards. If a dog only responds when a treat is present, it quickly becomes part of the command. No treat? No compliance.
• Diminishing Novelty: If treats lose their novelty, dogs may lose interest. To avoid these problems, I prefer to use the dog’s daily food, ensuring a balanced approach.

Consistency in Interactions

Most people feed their dog daily, and what better way to encourage consistent interactions than by using mealtime as an opportunity to enrich the lives of both ends of the leash? Consistency is key, and convenience is king. Why not combine both?

Embracing food drive as a resource has revolutionised my approach to dog training. By recognising the inherent value of food in a dog’s life, I’ve created training experiences that are practical, effective, and deeply fulfilling for both myself and my dogs. So, the next time you train your dog, remember to embrace their food drive—it’s not just a crucial component; it’s an invaluable resource waiting to be tapped into.

PS: This discussion focuses on the use of food drive in training. The long-term role of food in a dog’s life is a broader topic that deserves its own discussion. 🙂