Beyond Biscuits: How to Find What Really Motivates Your Dog
Updated: 2 days ago
If your dog won't work for a biscuit, it doesn't mean they're hard to train. It usually means the reward isn't worth the effort in that moment, and I always say think of it like wages. Would you work overtime for a biscuit? Motivation is the engine behind every bit of training, and it changes with the place, the distractions and how your dog feels. Some dogs love food, some love toys and some care most about sniffing or chasing. Here's how to find what really motivates your dog, how to use it and what to do if your dog doesn't seem food or toy motivated.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Dog motivation is about finding rewards your dog will work for in each situation. A high-value reward is one your dog finds far better than the everyday, often soft, smelly food like chicken, cheese or liver cake, or a favourite toy or game. What your dog values changes with the place and the distractions, so rank rewards from low to high and save the best for the hardest moments. Real-life rewards like sniffing, chasing, greeting a friend or going through a door can be powerful too. If your dog isn't food or toy motivated, check for stress, tiredness, overfeeding or pain, train in calm places first, use your dog's meals and build play slowly. Motivation isn't fixed, and you can grow it.
What is a high-value reward?
A high-value reward is something your dog will work hard for, even with distractions. It's high value to your dog, not to you. That might be smelly, messy or a bit inconvenient.
Everyday kibble may be fine in the kitchen. At the park, with dogs and smells everywhere, you'll often need something much better. Read high-value rewards for recall.
Rank your dog's rewards
Make a list of everything your dog likes, then put it in order from "nice" to "can't resist". This becomes your reward menu. Include:
food: kibble, biscuits, cheese, chicken, sausage, liver cake
toys: balls, tug toys, squeaky toys, a favourite chew
games: chase, tug, find it, a quick zoom around the garden
real-life rewards: sniffing, saying hello, going through a gate, jumping in the car
Use low-value rewards for easy things at home. Save the top ones for recall, busy places and new skills.
Food rewards that work
The best training treats are soft, smelly and small, so your dog can eat them quickly and keep working. Cut them as small as a pea.
Try cooked chicken, cheese, sausage or homemade liver cake. Rotate them, so your dog doesn't get bored. Remember to cut back meals a little on busy training days. Read liver cake recipe.
Play as a reward
For many dogs, a quick game of tug or a thrown ball beats any treat. Play also builds energy and excitement, which is great for recall and agility.
Keep play rewards short, and finish while your dog still wants more. Teach a clear "drop" so you can start and stop the game easily.
Real-life rewards
Some of the most powerful rewards are things your dog wants anyway. Sniffing a lamppost, going off lead or greeting a friend can all be used as rewards.
Ask for a simple behaviour first, like a sit or eye contact, then say "go sniff". Your dog learns that listening to you gets them what they want. Read Premack's principle.
If your dog isn't food or toy motivated
Some dogs seem to ignore treats and toys, especially outside. It's usually not that they don't care. Check these first:
stress: worried dogs often stop eating, so try a calmer place
tiredness: dogs who are tired, hot or overstimulated switch off
full tummy: train before meals, or use part of their meal
pain: a dog who suddenly loses interest may need a vet check
the wrong reward: test different foods, toys and games to find their favourites
Build motivation slowly, starting where your dog is relaxed. Read dogs who won't eat outside.
Motivation changes, so stay flexible
What works on Monday in the kitchen might not work on Saturday at the beach. Watch your dog and adjust.
If your dog stops listening, ask yourself whether the reward is good enough for that moment. Often, upgrading the reward is all it takes. Read dopamine and motivation in puppy training.
RENEE'S TIP
Do a "taste test" this week. Put three different treats in three closed hands and let your dog choose. Repeat a few times with different foods. You'll quickly see your dog's top three, and you'll know what to save for the hard moments.
QUICK CHECK
ā High value means high value to your dog
ā Rank food, toys, games and real-life rewards
ā Save the best rewards for the hardest moments
ā Real-life rewards like sniffing are powerful
ā Not motivated? Check stress, tiredness, fullness and pain
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern Guide to Puppy Games
100 one-minute games, so play becomes a reward your dog wants to work for.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help finding what works
If your dog isn't interested in treats or toys and training feels stuck, I can help you find what motivates them in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
What is a high-value reward for a dog?
Something your dog will work hard for even with distractions, often soft, smelly food or a favourite game.
What if my dog isn't food motivated?
Check for stress, tiredness, a full tummy or pain, train somewhere calm and test different rewards.
What if my dog isn't food or toy motivated?
Try real-life rewards like sniffing or greeting, build play slowly and start in a quiet place.
Is using treats in training bribery?
No. A reward comes after the behaviour. Bribery is showing the treat first to get it.
How can I make my dog more motivated?
Use better rewards, train before meals, keep sessions short and stop while your dog still wants more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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