Dog Treats - Do They Help or Not?

Are Treats Helping Your Dog… or Quietly Making Things Worse?

Treats are one of the most powerful tools we have in dog training - but they’re also one of the most misunderstood.

Used well, they can build confidence, support emotional regulation, and create lasting positive change. Used without thought, they can contribute to overwhelm, frustration… and even impact your dog’s behaviour in ways you might not expect.

So how do you get it right?

Why Treats Matter More Than You Think

Treats aren’t just “rewards.”

They help your dog feel safe.

They create positive associations with the world around them. They encourage natural behaviours like sniffing, licking, and foraging activities that actively help calm the nervous system.

For many dogs, especially those who feel worried or overwhelmed, food is the bridge between stress and learning.

When Should You Use Treats?

Treats are incredibly useful when:

• Your dog is learning something new

• You’re in a new or challenging environment

• Your dog feels unsure or overwhelmed

• You want to reinforce calm, thoughtful choices

• You’re building trust and connection

But here’s the important part. More isn’t always better.

If your dog is too stressed to eat, or if food is creating frantic, over-excited behaviour, it’s time to pause and reassess.

ACE Free Work: Do You Need Lots of Treats?

This is where many people get it wrong.

In ACE Free Work, we don’t use food to create chaos, we use it to support calm.

Yes, food plays an important role:

• Scattering

• Licking

• Gentle exploration

But adding too much food can actually:

• Increase arousal

• Create frantic searching

• Take your dog out of a thoughtful, exploratory state

We’re not aiming for a high-energy treasure hunt. We’re supporting slow, curious investigation.

Often, less food ,used thoughtfully, creates more powerful results.

ACE Free Work Training Session

£45.00

Buy Now

Too Many Treats, Too Many Problems

It’s easy to think variety is a good thing.

Different flavours, textures, brands… it feels enriching.

But your dog’s gut might disagree.

Too many different treats at once can:

• Upset the digestive system

• Cause subtle inflammation

• Lead to discomfort you might not immediately notice

And here’s the tricky part…

The Gut Behaviour Link Most People Miss

Your dog doesn’t need to have obvious diarrhoea or vomiting for their gut to be affecting their behaviour.

Even mild discomfort can show up as:

• Reactivity

• Restlessness

• Inability to settle

• Reduced tolerance to stress

So if your dog suddenly seems “more reactive” or “unable to cope,” it might not just be training…

It could be what’s in their treat pouch.

Quality Over Quantity Every Time

Not all treats are created equal.

Highly processed ingredients, artificial additives, and poor-quality proteins can all contribute to how your dog feels, both physically and emotionally.

A better approach:

• Stick to simple, high-quality ingredients

• Avoid constantly switching proteins

• Use your dog’s regular food where possible

What you feed matters just as much as how you train.

A Smarter Way to Use Treats

Before you reach for another handful, ask yourself:

• Is this helping my dog feel calmer or more excited?

• Are they thinking… or just reacting?

• Am I supporting regulation, or adding to overwhelm?

Treats should support the whole dog - not just the behaviour you’re trying to change.

Final Thought

Treats aren’t the problem.

But how we use them and what we choose can make a huge difference.

When used thoughtfully, they build confidence, trust, and calm.

When used without awareness, they can quietly contribute to the very behaviours we’re trying to change.

Thanks, Pauline

Alba Dogs

Follow us on Facebook to find out more great Advice and Tips!