15 Ways to Reward Your Dog During Training

It’s lovely to see your dog make progress during training. The more trained your dog is, the more you’ll enjoy it. One way to make your dog know it’s doing something right is by giving it a reward—which can be withheld when it does the wrong thing. Introducing new rewards can make your dog more eager to please you, so if you want to learn new ways to reward your dog, read our list.
High-value Treats

Don’t just give your dog a regular treat. Go for one that is much desired, extra-smelly, and that it only gets to have once in a while. That way, the treat means something to it. Preferably, only give this treat during training sessions and keep the portion sizes small so you don’t overfeed.
Praise

Verbal praises can be very motivating. It’s as simple as cheering it with phrases like “Good dog!” or “Well done!” Praises must be done with a happy tone, as dogs will first relate to your tone before the words start to make any meaning to them, and immediately so they can associate it with their good behavior.
Petting

It’s common for dogs to crave physical affection from their owners, so you can dish it out as a reward during training. Petting them—scratching behind their ears, giving gentle rubs, etc.—can be rewarding. A belly rub is great, too. Just study them and see what they prefer.
Playtime

Take a break from training to play with your dog quickly when it is making good progress. Simple, fun games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek are enough. Play not only eases some of the tension of training but helps you bond with your dog. However, keep playtime short so your dog can remain focused.
Toys

Let your dog play with a toy for a while. Toys entertain and mentally stimulate them. To make toys effective as a reward, rotate them. That way, they stay valuable to your dog. If your dog loves to chew, use durable, safe chew toys appropriate for its size and chewing strength.
Training Break

Don’t underestimate what a short training break for relaxation can do for your dog. Without breaks, your dog may get overwhelmed or bored. But when it spends a few minutes sniffing the yard or just doing nothing, it can improve its focus.
Walks

To dogs that love being outside, taking them for a walk is a big gift. On a walk, they can see and smell new things, and it’s a physical and mental exercise. You can wait until after training sessions before doing this, or you can carry them along for a short walk in between classes if you want to run a quick errand.
Food Puzzles

What if you gave them threats but made it more fun and challenging for them to get it? That’s what food puzzles and food dispensing toys are for. Because they slow down the eating process, they are great for dogs that eat too fast.
New Tricks

Many dogs love learning new tricks, so see if your dog is that kind, and if it is, then teach it new tricks as a reward. You may teach it how to respond to words like “shake,” “roll over,” or “spin.” Such sessions can be a ton of fun for you and your dog.
Gentle Massage

Dogs need massages to feel more comfortable. Massages can reduce anxiety and arthritis and aid circulation and blood supply to joints. When you focus your massages on areas where a dog likes to be touched, it can serve as a reward for progress during training.
Water Play

Does your dog enjoy water? Let it splash around in a kiddie pool. If it loves to play with sprinklers, monitor it so it doesn’t inhale water and fall sick. Playing with water will help a dog cool off on a hot day.
Car Rides

It’s not only humans who love a random car ride; dogs also love it! The great feeling they have on a ride may be from the expectation that you’re going to some fun place or that they get. Looking out the window and occasionally sticking their heads out may give them a natural high.
Social Interaction

If your dog enjoys socializing but usually doesn’t have opportunities for it, allow it to interact with other dogs or people. Keep your eyes on your dog when they interact so you can prevent any negative experiences for them or the other party.
Special Outings

After a productive training session, take your dog to a new park, beach, trail, or somewhere it loves to go but doesn’t go often. Before doing this, confirm that the outing is safe and suitable for your dog’s fitness level and temperament.
Photo Sessions

Photo sessions make dogs feel like the center of attention, and that’s an experience an attention-seeking dog will love. Your dog will likely not recognize itself in the photos you take, so you can keep those for yourself and allow the dog to enjoy the moment.