Before I had Enzo, I thought all dog treats were the same. A treat was just a treat. If he listened to me, I’d give him a biscuit. If he learned some new tricks, I’d give him another one. I never really thought about whether he actually cared about the treat I was giving him.
One day we were at the park, and Enzo was having the best time of his life. He was running around, sniffing everything, and saying hello to every dog he saw. I called him once… he didn’t come. I called him again… still he didn’t come. I even showed him one of his regular treats. He looked at me for a second and then went back to playing.
Luckily, I had some paneer cubes with me. The moment he saw it, he stopped what he was doing and came running straight to me with excitement.
That was the moment I realized Enzo wasn’t ignoring me. He just needed a better reason to choose me over everything else happening around him. That day I understood why people talk about high value treats.
Since then, I always keep a few high-value treats with me whenever we’re working on training or going somewhere new.
So, what is a high-value treat?
It’s simply your dog’s favorite treat. The one they’ll happily work for.
For Enzo, it’s paneer, boiled chicken and cheese. If he smells it, he suddenly becomes the most obedient dog in the world.
Your dog might love cheese or eggs or fish. Every dog is different, and that’s completely normal. You don’t need to buy anything expensive. Sometimes the best high-value treat is already in your kitchen.
What makes a treat high value?
One thing I’ve noticed is that dogs usually prefer treats that smell stronger and taste better than their everyday food. That’s why boiled chicken, paneer, fish, or cheese often work so well. They don’t get these foods every day, so they’re much more exciting.
When I use high-value treats
I don’t give high value treats to Enzo every day. If I did, they wouldn’t feel special anymore. I save them for moments when I really need his attention. Like when we’re practicing recall at the park or when I’m teaching him something new.
I also carry them when we’re visiting the vet because I know he’s a little nervous there. A few pieces of chicken make the whole experience much easier for him.
Even on walks, if I know there will be lots of distractions, I’ll keep some in my pocket. They help me get his attention much faster than his regular treats. Sometimes during our walks, Enzo gets distracted by other dogs and refuses to come home. I use his favorite treat to get his attention, and it usually works.
Keeping treats small
I also learned that the size of the treat doesn’t really matter. In the beginning, I’d give Enzo fairly big pieces because I thought a bigger reward would make him happier.
Now I cut everything into tiny pieces. He still gets excited, and we can continue training without stopping every few seconds for him to finish chewing.
Since high-value treats are usually richer than regular treats, I try not to overdo it. If we’ve had a long training session, I’ll slightly reduce Enzo’s dinner so he’s not eating too many extra calories.
Find your dog’s high-value treat
If you’re not sure what your dog’s favorite treat is, here’s what I’d do:
- Try two or three different safe treats.
- Offer them one at a time.
- Watch which one your dog gets most excited about.
- Save that treat only for training or important situations.
One mistake I made
When I first found out how much Enzo loved boiled chicken, paneer, cheese, or soya chunks, I started giving it to him all the time. It was a big mistake. After a while, it wasn’t as exciting anymore. Now I only use it for important moments. I’ve learned that keeping his favorite treats special makes them much more effective.
Every dog is different
Just because Enzo loves chicken doesn’t mean your dog will.
I’ve met dogs who would choose cheese over chicken every single time. Some go crazy for sardines. Others love paneer or scrambled eggs. Also there are some vegetarian dogs who love cucumber, or soya chunks.
The fun part is finding out what your own dog loves the most. Once you find that one special treat, training becomes much easier because your dog is actually excited to work with you.
My advice to fellow dog parents
Looking back, I wish I had discovered high-value treats much sooner. They made training easier, helped build a better connection with Enzo, and turned challenging situations into learning opportunities.
If you’re struggling with training or your dog isn’t listening outside the house, don’t assume they’re being stubborn. Sometimes they’re just distracted. Sometimes the reward you’re offering isn’t worth giving up all the exciting things around them. Try a treat they absolutely love and see the difference.
