Kibble or Treats for Training? My Thoughts as a Dog Trainer

One of the most common questions I hear from owners is:

"Should I use treats for training, or can I just use my dog's normal food?"

The short answer is: both can work.

However, as with many things in dog training, the answer is not always that simple.

While some dogs can happily work for their regular kibble, others need something more valuable, especially when learning difficult skills, training outdoors, or working through behavioural challenges.

Personally, I don't often recommend using a dog's entire meal as their main training reward, and here's why.

Eating Is a Basic Need, Not a Privilege

Food is not a luxury for dogs.

Food is one of their basic biological needs.

Just like we don't expect people to earn every single meal they eat, I believe dogs should not have to constantly "perform" in order to access their daily food allowance.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with occasionally asking for a sit before putting a bowl down or using a small portion of kibble during a training session. The problem arises when dogs are expected to work extensively for every meal while they are already hungry.

Sometimes I ask owners a simple question:

Would you like it if every evening, before dinner, someone asked you to complete a list of tasks before you were allowed to eat?

Or perhaps even more importantly:

Do you ask your children to perform tricks before they are allowed to have dinner?

Most people would probably say no.

When Working for Food Can Become a Problem

Many dogs cope perfectly well with earning some of their food through enrichment activities or training games.

However, in some cases, using hunger as the main source of motivation can create unintended consequences.

One example is resource guarding.

Resource guarding occurs when a dog becomes worried about losing access to something valuable, such as food, toys, sleeping areas, or even people.

I once worked with a client who contacted me because her dog would growl whenever she walked near him while he was eating.

As part of the assessment, I observed the dog's daily routine.

Before every meal, the owner asked the dog to perform a long sequence of behaviours. Sit. Down. Stay. Heel walking. More obedience exercises.

Only after completing this "performance" did the dog receive his food.

Over time, the dog appeared to become increasingly concerned about his meals. From his perspective, food wasn't guaranteed. Food always had to be earned.

While there were likely several factors involved, I explained that this routine could be contributing to the problem.

After all, if something important always feels uncertain, it is understandable that an individual may start protecting it.

Dogs are no different.

Why High-Value Rewards Matter

One reason many trainers use treats is because not all rewards have the same value to the dog.

Imagine someone offered you the same plain sandwich every day as a reward.

At first, you might be interested.

After a while, perhaps not so much.

Dogs are similar.

Many dogs will happily take kibble in a quiet living room. But once you step outside, things change.

The environment becomes far more interesting.

There are smells, dogs, people, traffic, squirrels, birds, and countless distractions.

For anxious, fearful, reactive, or easily distracted dogs, kibble may simply not be valuable enough to compete with the environment.

In these situations, using higher-value rewards can significantly improve learning and engagement.

Using treats doesn't mean your dog should do everything just for food. Treats are simply a reward to help teach new behaviours and build positive associations. As your dog becomes more reliable, we gradually reduce how often we reward with food and replace it with praise, play, life rewards...etc.

Even with my previously trained dogs, who are still with me occasionally, I still reward them from time to time with whatever motivates them most. Not because they need treats to listen, but because I enjoy showing my appreciation and they deserve it. Our relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding—treats are simply a bonus.

The Problem Isn't Treats – It's What Treats We Choose

I often hear owners say:

"I don't want to use treats because they're unhealthy."

The reality is that the problem is usually not the treats themselves.

The problem is often the quality and quantity.

Just like people can enjoy the occasional coffee, dessert, or piece of chocolate without harming their health, dogs can enjoy treats as part of a balanced diet.

Choosing high-quality options and using them in moderation (for example, soft small pieces treats) is very different from feeding large amounts of highly processed snacks every day.

Good quality training treats can be a useful training tool without negatively affecting your dog's health.

Every Dog Is Different

Another important point is that food is not the only reward available.

Some dogs are highly food motivated.

Others prefer:

• Toys

• Tug games

• Chasing a ball

• Praise

• Social interaction

• Access to the environment

• Sniffing opportunities

Part of good training is identifying what your individual dog values.

The best reward is the one your dog actually finds rewarding.

A Balanced Approach

If you enjoy using your dog's kibble during training, that's absolutely fine.

Personally, I simply encourage owners to avoid making their dog earn every single meal when they are hungry.

A balanced approach might look like:

✔ Feeding your dog's main meal as normal✔ Setting aside a small portion for training later if you wish✔ Using higher-value treats for difficult situations✔ Choosing rewards based on the individual dog✔ Making sure food remains predictable and accessible

For me, feeding our dogs should always come first.

Training is important, but so is ensuring that our dogs feel secure about accessing one of their most basic needs. The goal of positive reinforcement is never to create a dog that only works for treats. The goal is to use rewards to teach behaviours, build confidence, and strengthen your relationship until those behaviours become part of everyday life.