The Reinforcer Buffet: Find the Best Training Treats for Your Dog

A white dog is offered a piece of watermellon

Wondering what treats to use during dog training? This simple and fun exercise will help you figure out which training treats your dog finds most motivating. Knowing your dog’s favorite rewards is key to faster learning, better focus, and more effective training sessions—especially in distracting environments.

🐶 Why This Matters:

Choosing the right dog treats for training helps you:

  • Discover what your dog truly loves
  • Use high-value treats in challenging or high-distraction situations
  • Keep your dog engaged, happy, and eager to learn

📝 What You’ll Need:

Gather 6 different types of dog training treats, ranging from low to high value. Some popular options include:

  • Dry kibble
  • Soft, store-bought training treats
  • Cubes of cheese
  • Cooked chicken
  • Hot dog slices
  • A small spoonful of peanut butter

These offer a variety of textures, smells, and flavors to test what your dog finds most rewarding.

📋 How to Do the Treat Buffet Test:

  1. Pick a quiet space with minimal distractions.
  2. While your dog is out of the room, arrange the six treats in a row on a towel, mat, or tray.
  3. Let your dog enter the room and explore freely—no cues, no prompting. Just observe.
  4. Repeat the test 3-4 times, changing the treat order each time.
  5. Record a video or take notes to see which treats your dog goes for first, ignores, or saves for later.

🧠 What to Look For:

  • Which treats does your dog go for immediately?
  • Are there any they ignore completely?
  • Do the results stay consistent across different trials?

This gives you a personalized dog treat ranking you can use in training, from everyday sessions to more challenging environments.

📬 Share Your Results!

Did your dog’s treat preferences surprise you? We’d love to hear about it!
Contact us to let us know your pup’s favorite (and least favorite) treats.