Menu
Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account below, or login by clicking here.

Pet Store Banner Pet Store Banner

, , ,

How to Use Treats as Positive Reinforcement

December 5, 2022

Training your new puppy can feel like a full-time job. It requires patience and remaining firm and consistent. At times, training a puppy can involve getting up at all hours of the night, or coming home to a destroyed living room. No one said puppy parenthood would be easy, you remind yourself, and yet, you wish it could be. 

This is where using positive reinforcements can help your puppy to “catch on” to the behaviors you want him to continue. 

What is Positive Reinforcement?

In a nutshell, the term “positive reinforcement” means rewarding your puppy when he behaves in the manner you want. This could be when he completes a command, such as sitting, staying, coming, or lying down. Or when he succeeds at long-term or complex commands, such as refraining from barking while the mailman takes his time delivering the mail. 

From your puppy’s perspective, the best reward is food. Canines are primal and highly value food. When a treat is gained as a result of doing any action, the dog will repeat the action for the purposes of receiving more treats. Since your puppy views treats as “positive,” using treats to reinforce your desire for your puppy to display specific, good behaviors is called “positive reinforcement” in the dog training world.  

Being aware of the power of positive reinforcement also helps new puppy parents to avoid accidentally “positively reinforcing” negative behavior that the parent actually does not want their puppy to continue. 

For example, if you’re with your puppy in public and feeding him a few treats, and someone walks by and your puppy tries to nip the person’s shoe, and you continue to offer your puppy another treat because that’s what you’ve been doing, then your puppy will connect that nipping is good behavior.

Likewise, if your puppy begins barking non stop because he sees the mailman, and you pet him and offer him comfort to get him to “calm down,” he will connect that barking at the mailman is rewarded by affection, and he’ll continue this behavior. 

For this reason, it’s important to only offer rewards like treats when your puppy has behaved, and to withhold rewards like treats and even affection when your puppy misbehaves.

When using treats as positive reinforcement, there are a number of things to keep in mind, which we’ll cover in detail. But the bullet points are: 

  • Do not give your puppy too many treats 
  • Do not bribe your puppy
  • Do not reward your puppy after he completes a command until he is in a calm, submissive state
  • Phase the treats out gradually 

Use Small Treats

Puppies have fast metabolisms and they eat much more food per pound of body weight than adult dogs do, but feeding your puppy too many treats isn’t healthy. You don’t want your puppy to gain weight and become obese. It’s best to use small treats and keep your training sessions short so that you don’t accidentally feed your puppy too many treats. You can even break up small treats into little tastes and they will be just as effective and rewarding for your puppy.

Never Bribe Your Puppy

Dogs are smart animals, which is why using positive reinforcements like food treats can turbocharge the training process and help your puppy learn quickly. In the mind of a dog, however, receiving the treat is the goal, at least at first. So, the dog will try to figure out how to get the most treats possible. Because of this, you may find that your puppy gets into a bad habit of only performing a command when he knows he’ll get a treat. He might ignore you until you show him that there’s a treat in it for him. Never allow this. Don’t bribe your puppy.  

Reward Calm, Controlled, Submissive Behavior

For your puppy, having your full attention is thrilling. He loves playing with you and enjoying life by your side. The excitement of sharing quality time with you could go through the roof when he knows he’s behaved by performing a command. Anticipating a treat could have him bouncing off the walls and jumping all over you! But do not reward this uncontrolled behavior. After your puppy has obeyed a command or behaved correctly, offer him the treat only when he’s in a calm, submissive state. Otherwise you’ll run the risk of teaching your puppy that out-of-control excitement is acceptable. 

Continue Training Without Food Treats    

Perhaps the most important stage of training your puppy with positive reinforcement is the process of removing the positive reinforcement, i.e. the treats. You don’t want to end up with a puppy, or worse an adult dog, who will only behave when he’s certain he’ll be rewarded for it. Abiding by your house rules should be rewarding enough. That’s why you should work towards phasing out the treats. You can even begin to replace a treat with verbal praise and pats, here and there, as you train your puppy. Eventually, your puppy should consistently obey you according to what he’s learned without expecting a treat. 

As you experiment with positive reinforcements to train your puppy, you might find that some treats work better than others. And you may even discover that your puppy isn’t enticed by treats! Surprising, but it’s been known to happen. In instances like this, try other positive rewards like belly rubs, affection, or toys. 

Hands-on, professional puppy training can guide both you and your puppy through the dog training process, which might be right for you. Petland Miami offers 6 weeks of dog training to anyone who takes home a Petland puppy

Related Articles

View All Articles

  • 10 Steps to Raising the Perfect Puppy

    , ,

    10 Steps to Raising the Perfect Puppy

    One of the hottest topics within the pet community today centers on raising the perfect puppy. Responsible puppy owners are aware that their fur baby’s puppyhood is a critical ti...

    Read This Blog

  • Thanksgiving Day Dog Treats for Your Puppy

    , , ,

    Thanksgiving Day Dog Treats for Your Puppy

    Whether your fur baby is a Cavapoo, Miniature Schnauzer, or lovable mutt, Petland Miami has the yummiest Thanksgiving Day dog treats for your puppy! In this festive article, you’...

    Read This Blog

  • Owning a Labrador Retriever

    , ,

    Owning a Labrador Retriever

    Bringing a puppy home is exciting. Owning a dog is a big responsibility. Dogs are a source of daily joy, but raising the perfect puppy comes with challenges. What is owning a ...

    Read This Blog

  • Golden Retriever: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , ,

    Golden Retriever: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    Are you ready to meet the greatest-of-all-time family dog? The Golden Retriever purebred dog breed has unanimously won the hearts of American families and this faithful, sweet pet ...

    Read This Blog

  • How to Introduce Your New Puppy to Your Household Pets

    , , , ,

    How to Introduce Your New Puppy to Your Household Pets

    They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, which couldn’t be more true for animals!  This article will cover protocols and best practices for introdu...

    Read This Blog

  • 5 Adorable DIY Halloween Costumes for Puppies

    , ,

    5 Adorable DIY Halloween Costumes for Puppies

    What’s cuter than a puppy? A puppy dressed up in a Halloween costume! With the spookiest holiday of the year coming up in just a couple weeks, you might be asking yourself how yo...

    Read This Blog

  • Beagle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , ,

    Beagle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    Curious, merry, and heart-warming, the lovable Beagle belongs to the hound group of working dogs. Beagles may have been bred to hunt in packs at the behest of their English gentlem...

    Read This Blog

  • Top 10 Easy to Train dog Breeds

    , ,

    Top 10 Easy to Train dog Breeds

    If you’re trying to decide which dog breed to get as your new puppy, Petland Miami recommends that you get an easy-to-train breed.  Willful dog breeds are difficult to train...

    Read This Blog

  • Belgian Malinois: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , ,

    Belgian Malinois: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    The Belgian Malinois is a lesser-known purebred dog breed. We at Petland Miami have been obsessed with this athletic, impressive, and highly intelligent breed for a while. We’re ...

    Read This Blog

  • How to Keep Your Puppy Safe & Happy While You’re at Work

    , , ,

    How to Keep Your Puppy Safe & Happy While You’re at Work

    Getting a new puppy is a huge joy and a big responsibility. Before you bring your first furry friend home, it’s a good idea to plan how you’ll keep your puppy safe and content ...

    Read This Blog

  • How Often Should I Train My Puppy?

    , , ,

    How Often Should I Train My Puppy?

    They say that the memory of a goldfish doesn’t last longer than 30 seconds, but how long will it take for a puppy to forget the last training session?  For new puppy parents...

    Read This Blog

  • Everything You Need to Know About Corgis

    , ,

    Everything You Need to Know About Corgis

    Are you ready to brush up on your Welsh?  …? We’ll take that as a yes. The name for the purebred dog breed, “Corgi,” is actually two Welsh words: “cor” and “ci....

    Read This Blog

  • Boston Terrier: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , ,

    Boston Terrier: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    The Boston Terrier is a small purebred dog breed that originated as a mix between a Bulldog and a White English Terrier in the late 1800s. As the name implies, this dog breed becam...

    Read This Blog

  • Best Dog Breeds for Hot Weather

    , ,

    Best Dog Breeds for Hot Weather

    Petland Miami knows a thing or two about hot weather. If you live in Florida or any of the “summer-year-round” States of the U.S., then it’s a good idea to get a puppy that b...

    Read This Blog

  • Best Dog Breeds for Running & Hiking

    , ,

    Best Dog Breeds for Running & Hiking

    A dog can provide all kinds of love, loyalty, and companionship. For those of you who enjoy the great outdoors and are looking for a dog to accompany you on your daily jogs or week...

    Read This Blog

  • Bonding Tips for First Time Puppy Owners

    , ,

    Bonding Tips for First Time Puppy Owners

    In this article, you’ll learn how training your puppy is the most effective means of fostering the bond between you two, and you’ll discover fun ways to train your puppy that w...

    Read This Blog

  • Golden Retriever: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , ,

    Golden Retriever: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    Intelligent, kind, and trustworthy, the Golden Retriever has been one of the most popular dog breeds for over 100 years!  This Scottish breed became a household favorite in th...

    Read This Blog

  • Is Puppy Health Care Insurance Worth the Expense?

    , ,

    Is Puppy Health Care Insurance Worth the Expense?

    Did you know that dogs need health insurance? You don’t want to wait until your dog has health problems to enroll in doggie health insurance. If you do, the insurance company cou...

    Read This Blog

  • 8 Best Indoor Dog Breeds

    , ,

    8 Best Indoor Dog Breeds

    Ah, the great indoors… Cozy and peaceful where everything you need is right at your fingertips, who doesn’t love being inside?  Whether you’re a homebody, a city dweller...

    Read This Blog

  • 5 Dog Breeds for Every Dad this Father’s Day

    , ,

    5 Dog Breeds for Every Dad this Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is coming up in a matter of days! Have you thought about what you’re going to give your dad this Father’s Day?  If your father is an animal lover, loves a g...

    Read This Blog

  • How Do Puppies See the World?

    , , ,

    How Do Puppies See the World?

    Your brand-new fur baby has quite the personality! Puppies are affectionate, goofy, and highly intuitive to the emotions of their pet parents. Because of this, it can be easy to as...

    Read This Blog

  • How to Correct 4 Common Puppy Behavior Problems

    , , , ,

    How to Correct 4 Common Puppy Behavior Problems

    Your brand-new puppy is an innocent bundle of fluffy joy that can do no wrong! We know the feeling, but sooner or later, reality will set in and you’ll discover that while your p...

    Read This Blog

  • Puppy Crate Training Best Practices

    , ,

    Puppy Crate Training Best Practices

    Thinking about the long-term, big picture, you want the puppy you just brought home to mature into a well-behaved adult dog. Crate training your new puppy is a huge part of that. T...

    Read This Blog

  • Happy Mother’s Day from Petland Miami

    , , ,

    Happy Mother’s Day from Petland Miami

    From all of us at Petland Miami, we wish all the mothers out there a very special Mother’s Day!  Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday May 14th. Instead of giving your mom flo...

    Read This Blog

  • Goldendoodle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    , , ,

    Goldendoodle: A Puppy You’ll Forever Love

    Goldendoodles have become very popular in recent years as one of the best dog breeds for families with children. This breed is actually a hybrid between the Golden Retriever and th...

    Read This Blog

  • Should You Use a Dog Training Collar on Your Puppy?

    , , ,

    Should You Use a Dog Training Collar on Your Puppy?

    Each puppy has its own personality. Some puppies are more willful than others, and some dog breeds are easier to train than others. No matter what breed or personality a new puppy ...

    Read This Blog

  • 6 Ways to Improve Your Puppy’s Diet

    , , , ,

    6 Ways to Improve Your Puppy’s Diet

    Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is important for all domestic pets, no matter what age or type of animal. Growing puppies require specific nutrients in order to develop and live...

    Read This Blog

  • 8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Puppy

    , , ,

    8 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Puppy

    So, you’re thinking about becoming a puppy parent! Starting pet parenthood with a new fur baby might cause nervous excitement. That’s totally normal, and Petland Miami is here ...

    Read This Blog

  • How to Hire the Right Dog Walker

    , ,

    How to Hire the Right Dog Walker

    If you’re a new puppy parent, congratulations! You’re em-bark-ing on a journey that’s guaranteed to be filled with love, loyalty, and a lot of memories!  For new puppy p...

    Read This Blog

  • 8 Tips for First Time Dog Owners

    , , ,

    8 Tips for First Time Dog Owners

    Bringing your first puppy home is thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once! You want to provide all the love and care that your fur baby will need. And you also want to troubleshoo...

    Read This Blog

  • Best New Tech for Puppy Owners in 2023

    , , , ,

    Best New Tech for Puppy Owners in 2023

    What unites cutting-edge technology with soft puppies, you ask?  The year 2023! Artificial intelligence has been rapidly integrating with everyday devices to transform these p...

    Read This Blog

  • Should You Invest in Puppy Training Classes?

    , , ,

    Should You Invest in Puppy Training Classes?

    Many new puppy parents assume that training their puppy amounts to making sure the little guy doesn’t pee on the rug. But the fact of the matter is that puppies need their human ...

    Read This Blog

  • Things to Know Before Buying a Puppy from a Private Seller

    , , ,

    Things to Know Before Buying a Puppy from a Private Seller

    If you thought the only place to get a purebred puppy is at a pet store, you’re actually mistaken. Pet stores are the least popular place to buy puppies. According to statistics,...

    Read This Blog

  • Dealing with a High Energy Puppy

    , ,

    Dealing with a High Energy Puppy

    If you recently brought home an adorable puppy, you may notice that your new fur baby sleeps nearly all the time. For many puppy parents, this can be cause for alarm, but they soon...

    Read This Blog

  • Where Do Our Puppies Come From?

    ,

    Where Do Our Puppies Come From?

    Consumer awareness about puppy welfare has increased dramatically in recent years. Unlike decades ago, people today are getting in the habit of researching where a litter of puppie...

    Read This Blog

  • 7 Behaviors to Look For in a New Puppy

    , ,

    7 Behaviors to Look For in a New Puppy

    At Petland Miami, we love helping people pick out the best breed for them and introducing them to our puppies. Our highly-trained pet counselors are true dog breed experts that edu...

    Read This Blog

  • 5 Signs Your Children Are Ready for a Puppy

    ,

    5 Signs Your Children Are Ready for a Puppy

    Your kids have begged, pleaded, and created a PowerPoint presentation to convince you that they’re ready for a puppy. They’ve promised to take care of the new puppy, to train h...

    Read This Blog

  • 5 Common Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make

    , ,

    5 Common Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make

    Congratulations on your decision to become a pet parent to an adorable puppy! You have many years of happiness to look forward to with your new furry friend. We’re sure that you ...

    Read This Blog

  • Holiday Fun for Your New Puppy

    ,

    Holiday Fun for Your New Puppy

    The holiday season is a magical time of year, especially for those of you who just got puppies! Puppies are the perfect snuggle buddies to make the holidays extra cozy. You’ll ha...

    Read This Blog

  • How to Crate Train Your New Puppy to Reduce Crying at Night

    , , , ,

    How to Crate Train Your New Puppy to Reduce Crying at Night

    Puppies experience many significant transitions, back-to-back, during the first few months of their lives. They’re born, wean with their littermates, transfer to pet stores where...

    Read This Blog

  • Petland Miami Returns to the WOW Center

    ,

    Petland Miami Returns to the WOW Center

    The entire team at Petland Miami is grateful for being in the business of connecting people with their paw-fect pets and puppies.  This Thanksgiving, we returned to the WOW Ce...

    Read This Blog

  • The Best Dog Parks in Florida for Puppies

    ,

    The Best Dog Parks in Florida for Puppies

    When you begin socializing your puppy with other humans and dogs, it’s important that your puppy has positive experiences. Puppies are impressionable, especially when they’re m...

    Read This Blog

Help Need Help?