If They Only Listen for a Treat, Read This

If you’ve ever relied on a treat to get your dog to sit, stay, or walk nicely beside you, you’re not alone. Lure-based training is a solid starting point in dog training – it’s intuitive, effective, and gets quick results. But here’s the thing: if your dog only listens when they see a reward, that’s not training – that’s bribery.

To build real reliability, the goal is to transition from using food or toys as a visible lure to rewarding your dog after they perform a behaviour. That’s where fading the lure comes in. It’s a method that separates the motivation from the cue, helping dogs learn to respond because they understand, not just because they see a treat in your hand.

Done right, this shift creates long-term results. Your dog begins to respond to your cues with or without the sight of a reward, whether you’re in the living room or the park.

What Is a Lure in Dog Training?

A lure is a visible item – most often food – used to guide your dog into a position or action. For example, holding a treat above your dog’s head encourages them to sit. That’s lure training. It works by using the dog’s desire for the reward to shape their movement.

At Paws Academy, we start a lot of new behaviours with a lure because it’s clear, fast, and easy for the dog to follow. But that’s just the first step – not the final goal.

If you never phase the lure out, your dog becomes dependent on it. This means they’ll start ignoring you unless they seethe reward first. That’s a recipe for frustration, not progress.

When to Start Fading the Lure

A common mistake is trying to fade the lure too soon – or too late. Timing matters. You want your dog to clearly understand the behaviour before removing the lure. If they’re still confused or inconsistent, wait a little longer.

As a general rule, once your dog performs the behaviour consistently with the lure, it’s time to start fading it. You’re not eliminating rewards, you’re simply shifting the way they’re used. The reward comes after the behaviour, not before.

How to Fade the Lure Step-by-Step

Here’s a simple, practical way to begin phasing out that treat or toy lure without losing progress.

Switch the Lure to a Hand Signal

Start by mimicking the same hand movement you used to lure the behaviour – just without the treat in your hand. Keep everything else the same. After your dog responds, then reward them from your pocket or treat pouch. This tells them the cue still leads to a reward, but they don’t need to see it first.

Introduce the Verbal Cue Clearly

While you’re practising the hand signal, begin pairing it with a verbal cue like “sit” or “down.” Say the word first, then follow it with the hand gesture. Over time, you’ll fade the hand signal too, but for now, you’re layering the cues together.

Mark and Reward After the Behaviour

Use a consistent marker – like “yes” or a clicker – the instant your dog performs the behaviour. Then deliver the reward. This teaches your dog that the behaviour, not the presence of the treat, is what earns the prize.

Use Variable Reinforcement

Once your dog is solid, begin rewarding randomly. Instead of giving a treat every single time, reward every second or third correct response. This keeps the dog motivated while building reliability.

Don’t stop rewarding entirely – just make it unpredictable. This reflects real life. After all, we don’t get a bonus every day at work – but we keep showing up because we know the rewards will come.

Test in New Environments

Once your dog understands the cue without a lure at home, it’s time to test the waters outside. Start in low-distraction environments and gradually increase the difficulty. Dogs don’t generalise well, so they need practice in different places.

Expect some regression. If your dog struggles in a new setting, go back a step, reintroduce the hand signal, and build it back up again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using a Bribe Instead of a Cue

If you find yourself showing the treat before the behaviour every time, you’re not giving a cue – you’re making a deal. Dogs are clever. They learn very quickly that no treat means no response.

Going Too Fast

Don’t rush the process. If your dog doesn’t perform the behaviour when the lure is removed, it means they weren’t ready. Go back a step, rebuild the association, and then try again.

Not Practising in Different Places

A dog who sits perfectly in the kitchen might totally ignore you at the park. That’s not disobedience – it’s lack of context. Help your dog succeed by practising in lots of places, gradually increasing the challenge.

Why This Method Builds Reliable Dogs

Fading the lure teaches your dog to respond to you, not the reward in your hand. It builds lasting communication and trust. And when you’re consistent, it creates behaviours that hold up under pressure – whether your dog is off-lead in a field or walking calmly through a busy town centre.

It’s not about taking the fun out of training. It’s about creating dogs who understand what you’re asking, even when they don’t see a treat. That’s real progress.

Need Help with the Process?

At Paws Academy, we specialise in turning those early training steps into lasting success. Whether you’re struggling with lure fading, recall, or anything in between, we’re here to help.

We offer both in-person training in Ireland and virtual consultations around the world, so no matter where you’re based, expert advice is only a click away.

Reach out to us and take the next step in building a dog who listens, learns, and thrives – with or without the treat in your hand.