Q: Does this mean I need to use treats forever?

A: Training your dog using positive reinforcement does not mean you have you have to reinforce every behavior with treats forever.

A behavior with strong reinforcement history can actually become a powerful reinforcer on its own.

As behaviors become reliable or “on cue” we’re able to gradually (and variably) phase out primary reinforcement (like treats).

We can set our dogs up for success as we phase out treats by continuing to reinforce for new or more challenging versions of the behavior, and introduce other kinds of reinforcement our dogs find valuable, like play, affection, or access to their environment.

That being said, using food rewards is not “cheating,” and when used correctly they can be a wonderful way to motivate and have fun with your dog.

It is OK to pay your dog for a job well done!!!