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How to Use High-Value Treats in Dog Training

By Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT, PharmD — Canine Behavior Consultant, Author of His Name is Diego  ·  Updated 2026-05-07
Quick Answer
Not all treats are equal — and the harder the training ask, the higher-value the treat needs to be. According to the reinforcement hierarchy in His Name is Diego Appendix A by Anna Skaff: kibble for easy behaviors, soft cheese for moderate challenge, cooked chicken or steak for reactive moments or high fear. A dog who won't take food is not being stubborn — they're over threshold.

Treat selection is one of the most underestimated variables in dog training. According to Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT and author of His Name is Diego, the relationship between treat value and training success is direct: the more the dog is struggling — with the environment, with the difficulty, with their emotional state — the higher-value the reinforcer needs to be. Using dry kibble at a dog park and wondering why the dog won't respond is like asking someone to work a difficult job for minimum wage.

Step-by-Step: How to Use High-Value Treats in Dog Training

  1. Know your dog's reinforcement hierarchy

    Test different treats in a distraction-free environment: which does your dog eat fastest? Which do they seek out preferentially? Build a hierarchy from lowest value (kibble, dry biscuits) to highest (cooked chicken, small beef pieces, cheese). Update it periodically — preferences shift.

  2. Match treat value to training difficulty

    As documented in His Name is Diego Appendix A: kibble for calm, easy, distraction-free behaviors (sit in the kitchen); soft cheese for moderate challenge (sit in the front yard with distractions); chicken or steak for reactive moments, threshold work, or high-fear contexts (sit when another dog approaches at threshold distance).

  3. Use small treat sizes

    Training treats should be pea-sized or smaller. You may deliver 50-100 treats in a 5-minute session. If treats are too large, the dog fills up and motivation drops. Cut standard training treats in quarters. Use soft treats that can be eaten quickly so training momentum is maintained.

  4. Train before meals, not after

    A full dog is a less motivated dog. Schedule training sessions before mealtimes, not after. The exception: a dog who is extremely anxious may benefit from some food in their stomach first — on an empty stomach, anxiety can increase. Know your dog.

  5. Use life rewards as reinforcers

    As described in His Name is Diego Appendix A, life rewards (access to a sniff, permission to greet another dog, off-leash time) are the highest-tier reinforcers for many dogs. Teach the dog that these activities are "earned" through a brief check-in or sit — this builds engagement without any food at all.

Common Questions

What are the best treats for training a dog?
The best training treats are: high-value to the dog, pea-sized, soft (quickly consumed), and low enough in calories to sustain a training session without filling the dog up. Common high-value options: small pieces of cooked chicken breast, pea-sized cheese cubes, soft commercial training treats, small bits of hot dog, or freeze-dried meat. The key is knowing your dog's personal preference hierarchy, not following a universal ranking.
Why won't my dog take treats during training?
A dog who refuses treats during a training session is almost always over threshold (too aroused to eat), full (trained right after a meal), or ill. The first question is: does this dog take food in a completely calm environment? If yes, the training environment is the variable — increase distance from distractions and reduce arousal before attempting treats again. If the dog refuses food in all contexts, consult a vet — anorexia can indicate medical issues.
Is using food in training bribery?
No. Bribery means showing the reward before the behavior to induce it. Reinforcement means delivering the reward after the behavior to strengthen it. The distinction matters: a lured behavior (where the dog can see the food) is dependent on the lure. A reinforced behavior (where the treat appears after the behavior from a pocket) is not. Fade lures quickly and deliver reinforcement from your pocket to build behavior that doesn't require food to be visible.

Sources & Citations

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