How to Use Rewards to Shape Better Behaviour
- Deb from Busy Pawz
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 3
If you’ve ever been told “you’re just bribing your dog” - you’re not alone.
Treats can get a bad rap, especially when it comes to behaviour. But when used with intention, treats become more than just a snack… they become a tool. A powerful way to reinforce the behaviours you want more of.
Whether it’s asking for calm instead of chaos, focus instead of frenzy, or paws on the ground instead of in your face - treats can help you build better habits from the inside out.
And it’s not about rewarding everything. It’s about rewarding the right things, at the right time, so your dog’s brain starts to say, “Oh hey, this feels good - I’ll do that again!”
Why Rewards Work (It’s Brain Science, Not Spoiling)
When we reward a behaviour, we’re helping the brain form new neural pathways. Each time your dog gets a positive outcome for something like sitting calmly or walking by your side, that brain pathway gets stronger. Over time, these “good choice” pathways start to take priority over the old ones - like jumping up, pulling, or barking.
The more often a behaviour leads to something good, the more your dog will want to repeat it.
This is especially important for anxious or overexcited dogs, because it helps shift their default state. Instead of reacting out of habit or stress, they learn to pause, think, and choose.
Real life example ...
Let’s use jumping as an example, because it’s such a common one and such a frustrating one too! You walk in the door and BAM - your dog’s up on two legs, bouncing with joy (and mud, and claws, and enthusiasm). It’s not bad behaviour in their mind - they’re just saying hi in the most exciting way they know.
But if we only tell them “No!” or push them down, we’re missing the teaching moment.
Instead:
Catch them before they jump. If you see the wiggle beginning, toss a treat to the ground before lift-off. That brings their focus down.
If their paws stay on the floor? Mark it! “Yes!” and treat.
Practice calm arrivals. Open the door a crack, reward for stillness, close it again if they launch. Repeat.
Use treats to build a new routine - “When someone comes in, I get my reward if I keep all four on the floor.”
With consistency, you’re not just stopping the jumping, you’re rewiring the brain. You’re helping them choose calm.
Be Strategic With Treats
This isn’t about handing out food all day long. It’s about using rewards in a smart, intentional way:
Reward the behaviour you want more of.
Ignore or redirect what you don’t.
Make the timing count. Dogs learn best when the reward comes immediately after the behaviour.
Fade the food gradually. Once the habit forms, switch it up - praise, play, or a favourite toy can take over.
It’s like paying your dog’s brain to make good choices. And the better those choices get, the less you need to pay.
Bonus Tip: Know Your Dog’s Currency
Not all treats are equal! For some dogs, kibble is fine at home but won’t cut it around distractions. For others, liver treats or chicken are gold. Choose high-value rewards for high-pressure situations, and save the boring stuff for easier asks.
And yes, food is fuel - so make it count. A balanced training treat (like our Busy Pawz Premium Treats 😉) can be part of your dog’s daily allowance, not just an “extra.”
Final Thoughts
Treats aren’t a cheat code. They’re part of a thoughtful, mindful way to raise a dog who wants to make good choices. By using rewards to shape the brain - not just the behaviour - you’ll build trust, connection, and lasting change.
So go on. Throw your dog a treat from me!
Thanks for reading!
Go reward yourself with a cuppa and your dog with a well-earned treat. 😉
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew xo
📚 P.S. Want more food-based training tips? Download my free ebook Chaos to Calm for snackable strategies that actually work - grab it here!
🎧 P.S. Prefer to listen on the go? This blog is also available as a podcast episode! If you’d rather hear me chat through these treat-training tips (with a few extra analogies and real-life examples), grab your headphones and tune in.
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