How to Choose the Right Rewards to Transform Your Dog Training

Beverly Kimber • 21 October 2026

When it comes to teaching our dogs new skills, many owners focus heavily on the behaviour itself, such as teaching a sit, building a reliable recall, or stopping lead pulling. However, one of the most important ingredients for lasting training success is often overlooked: the reward.


Not all rewards are created equal. What one dog finds irresistible, another may completely ignore. Understanding how to find and use the right rewards for your individual dog can transform your progress, deepen your bond, and make training an enjoyable experience for both of you.


What Counts as a Dog Training Reward?


In simple terms, a reward is anything your dog values and will actively work to gain. When a behaviour is followed by something your dog genuinely enjoys, they are far more likely to repeat that behaviour in the future.


While tasty food treats are the most common tool in 1:1 dog training, rewards can take many different forms:

  • Small, high-value food treats
  • An exciting game of tug or fetch
  • Verbal encouragement and calm praise
  • A chance to explore, sniff, or engage with the environment
  • Access to outdoor spaces or open gates
  • Affection and tactile contact (for dogs that genuinely enjoy physical touch)


The golden rule of positive dog training is simple: your dog decides what is rewarding, not you.


Why Reward Value Matters in Everyday Training


Imagine being asked to take on a complex, challenging task at work and being offered a single dry cracker as payment. You might do it once, but your motivation and enthusiasm would quickly fade.


Dogs experience training in a very similar way. When we reward dogs with things they truly value, training changes dramatically:


  • Dogs learn new concepts faster and with greater confidence.
  • Focus and engagement around everyday distractions improve.
  • Recall becomes significantly more reliable out on walks.
  • The working relationship and trust between dog and owner grow stronger.


Using rewards that carry too little value often results in slower progress, frustration, or a dog that appears distracted, disinterested, or "stubborn." In reality, they are simply under-rewarded for the effort being asked of them.


Understanding Reward Value: Low, Medium, and High


To train effectively, it helps to build a "reward hierarchy" based on your dog's preferences and the environment you are working in:


1. Low-Value Rewards

These include everyday kibble, plain biscuits, or quiet verbal praise. Low-value rewards work well for simple manners at home or during quiet indoor sessions where there are very few distractions.


2. Medium-Value Rewards

These might include soft training treats, standard dog biscuits, or a brief game with a favourite toy. They are ideal for consolidating familiar skills or practising in mildly distracting places like your garden.


3. High-Value "Jackpot" Rewards

These are the top-tier rewards your dog considers a true jackpot. Examples include cooked chicken, small pieces of sausage, cheese, liver treats, or highly motivating interactive toys.


High-value rewards are essential when:

  • Teaching a reliable recall around other dogs or wildlife
  • Working through fear, anxiety, or behaviour modification
  • Introducing new equipment in dog agility training
  • Helping nervous dogs build positive emotional associations with unfamiliar environments


Matching the Reward to the Difficulty of the Challenge


Think of rewards as your dog's pay cheque. The harder the environment or the greater the distraction, the higher the payment needs to be:

  • Practising a "sit" in a quiet kitchen: Everyday kibble or a standard biscuit is usually plenty.
  • Calling your dog away from a pleasant scent in the garden: A tasty soft treat or a quick toy toss will keep them motivated.
  • Recalling your dog away from another dog on a Harwich beach or park: This demands your dog's absolute favourite jackpot reward, backed by careful management.


Exploring Food and Play Motivation


Choosing Natural, High-Value Treats


Food rewards are often the easiest way to reward dogs because they can be delivered quickly and without over-arousing the dog. However, the quality and aroma of the treat make a huge difference to their focus.

Many owners find that wholesome, natural options create far better engagement than heavily processed snacks. For dogs that are naturally motivated by fish flavours, options such as Pawdaw of London Natural Salmon Dog Cookies offer a single-protein treat rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6, providing a high-value reward option for training sessions.


Using Interactive Play as a Reward


For many active and drive-oriented dogs, food is only half the picture. Interactive play can be an even stronger reinforcer. Using dedicated interactive toys, such as motivating bungee chasers and tug toys from Tug-E-Nuff, allows you to channel your dog's natural chasing and tugging instincts into positive engagement with you.


Let Your Dog Show You What They Prefer


One of the simplest ways to find out what motivates your dog is to carry out a two-way preference test:


  1. Place two different rewards in separate hands—for example, a piece of chicken in one hand and a tug toy in the other.
  2. Present both at an equal distance from your dog.
  3. Observe which one your dog moves towards first.
  4. Repeat this several times with different combinations.


You might discover that your dog values toys over food, tugging over chasing, or a specific flavour above all else. Remember that preferences can also shift depending on their energy levels, stress, weather, and age.


Build a Motivated, Confident Dog with Kimber Canine


Rewarding your dog effectively is not about bribery; it is about clear communication and fair payment for good choices. When you understand what your dog values and use rewards thoughtfully, training becomes an enjoyable partnership rather than a battle of wills.


At Kimber Canine, we use kind, concept- and games-based training methods tailored around the individual dog in front of us. Whether you are settling in a new puppy, improving recall, trying agility, or working through behaviour challenges, understanding motivation is the key to lasting progress.




Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Training Rewards

  • What can I use as a reward for my dog?

    Rewards can include food, toys, play, praise or access to something your dog enjoys, such as a chance to sniff. The best choice depends on what your dog values in that moment.

  • How do I know which rewards my dog likes best?

    Try offering different suitable rewards and observe what your dog chooses and engages with. Preferences can vary between dogs and may change with the situation.

  • Should I always use high-value treats?

    Not necessarily. Match the reward to the challenge: a familiar skill in a quiet place may need a modest reward, while practising around distractions may call for something your dog finds more exciting.

  • Is rewarding my dog the same as bribing them?

    No. A reward follows a behaviour you want to encourage. With practice, you can gradually vary how and when you reward, while still making training worthwhile for your dog.


Looking for Friendly Dog Training in Harwich?


If you would like hands-on support tailored to your dog’s personality and your goals, Kimber Canine is here to help.


Contact Kimber Canine today to book your dog training session in Harwich and take the first step towards a happier, more confident relationship.

Person sitting on a bench with a black dog outdoors, holding its leash and a water bottle.

Why Understanding Your Dog Changes Everything

by Beverly Kimber • 24 September 2026
When people come to me for help with their dog, they often tell me about the behaviours they would like to change. Pulling on the lead, barking at other dogs, not coming back when called, jumping up at visitors, or struggling to settle at home are all common concerns. While these behaviours can be frustrating, they are often just the visible symptom of something deeper. To truly help our dogs, we need to understand why they are behaving the way they are. Behaviour Is Communication Dogs communicate with us all the time. Every bark, wag, growl, zoomie, and even every refusal to do something is a form of communication. A dog that barks at other dogs may not be trying to be difficult. They may be feeling worried, overwhelmed, frustrated, or overexcited. A dog that ignores a recall may not be stubborn. The environment may simply be more rewarding than returning to their owner. When we stop looking at behaviour as "good" or "bad" and start viewing it as communication, we can begin to understand what our dogs need from us. Looking Beyond the Behaviour Imagine having a headache and someone only treated the symptom without finding the cause. The headache might disappear temporarily, but the underlying issue would remain. The same is true with dog behaviour. If we focus solely on stopping a behaviour, we risk missing the reason behind it. By identifying the cause, we can create lasting change while improving our dog's welfare and confidence. This is why I always encourage owners to look at the whole dog, not just the behaviour they are seeing. Meeting Your Dog's Needs Many behaviour struggles can be improved by ensuring a dog's needs are being met. These include: - Appropriate physical exercise - Mental enrichment and problem-solving opportunities - Social interaction where suitable - Rest and quality sleep - A balanced diet - Predictability and routine - Feeling safe and secure When these needs are consistently met, dogs are often better able to cope with everyday life and make good choices. The Power of Concept Based Training At Kimber Canine, I use concept-based, game based training methods because they help build a strong relationship between dog and owner. The positive reinforcement element focuses on rewarding behaviours we would like to see more of. This helps dogs learn and grow the skills required of them while maintaining trust and confidence. Training should be something both dog and owner enjoy. Learning happens best when dogs feel safe, engaged, and motivated. Building a Partnership One of my favourite things about working with dogs is watching the partnership between dog and owner grow. Whether we are working on behaviour challenges, agility skills, life skills, or confidence building, success comes from teamwork. Dogs do not need perfect owners. They need owners who are willing to learn, listen, and understand them. When we take the time to understand our dogs, training becomes easier, communication improves, and the bond we share becomes stronger than ever. How Kimber Canine Can Help Kimber Canine offers support with: - Behavioural struggles - Reactivity - Separation anxiety support - One-to-one dog training - One-to-one agility training - Group agility sessions - Canine nutrition consultations - Pet First Aid courses Every dog is an individual, and every training plan should reflect that. My aim is to help you build a happy, confident dog and the best possible relationship together. If you would like support with your dog’s training, behaviour, agility or nutrition, contact Kimber Canine to take the first step towards a happier, more confident partnership.