The Power of Reinforcement Why Treats May Not Be the Best Reward

When training or encouraging behaviour, many people reach for treats as the go-to reward. Treats are easy, quick, and often effective in the short term. But what if the behaviour itself could be more rewarding than any treat? Understanding the power of reinforcement beyond treats can change how we motivate ourselves and others, leading to stronger, longer-lasting habits and connections.

Why Treats Are Commonly Used

Treats offer immediate gratification. Whether training a pet or encouraging a child, giving a treat after a desired action creates a clear link between behaviour and reward. This is a form of positive reinforcement, where something pleasant follows an action, increasing the chance it will happen again.

Treats are simple and measurable. You can control the size, timing, and frequency of treats, making them easy to use consistently. For example, a dog trainer might give a small piece of food every time the dog sits on cue. This clear cause-and-effect helps the learner understand what is expected. If you where to use the power of play for a reward it may take a little longer to achieve a solid foundation because the delivery and whole experience takes longer, but each dog learns differently.

However, treats have limitations. They can lose their appeal if overused, leading to decreased motivation. Treats also do not teach intrinsic value — the learner may only perform the behaviour for the reward, not because the behaviour itself is meaningful or enjoyable. Think about going to work, do you work because you love your job or do you work because you get paid? If you go to work and you LOVE it, being paid is a bonus, but maybe not the main reason you do your job.

The Value of Behaviour as Its Own Reward

Some behaviours naturally provide satisfaction or benefits that can be more powerful than external rewards. When the behaviour itself feels rewarding, motivation comes from within. This is called intrinsic motivation.

For example, I love my job, if I won the lottery and didn't need to get paid, I would do it for FREE because I love what I do. Similarly, a dog that loves playing fetch will eagerly retrieve the ball because the activity itself is fun.

Intrinsic motivation leads to more consistent and lasting behaviour. When people or animals act because they want to, not just because they expect a treat, the behaviour becomes part of their routine and identity.

How to Make Behaviour More Rewarding

To shift from treat-based rewards to intrinsic motivation, focus on these strategies:

• Connect the behaviour to natural rewards

Identify what makes the behaviour enjoyable or useful. For example, a dog that loves social interaction can be rewarded with playtime or affection instead of food.

• Build positive associations

Pair the behaviour with experiences that feel good. Using a favourite activity can reinforce the behaviour without treats. Think about sniffing, running or jumping.

• Encourage mastery and progress

People and animals feel motivated when they see improvement. Start small and celebrate small wins and milestones to make the behaviour satisfying and easy to accomplish, with this comes confidence and connection.

• Use variable rewards

Instead of giving a treat every time, occasionally reward with something unexpected. This keeps motivation high and prevents boredom.

Examples of Behaviour as Reward

Training Dogs Without Treats

Many trainers emphasise using play, praise, and affection as rewards. A dog that loves chasing a ball will work hard to earn playtime. This approach builds a stronger bond and reduces reliance on food treats, which can lead to overeating or distraction.

Encouraging Children to Learn

Instead of offering sweets or toys for good grades, parents can help children find joy in learning itself. This might include exploring topics of interest, celebrating curiosity, or showing how knowledge helps in real life.

Workplace Motivation

Employees who find meaning in their work and feel appreciated often perform better than those motivated only by bonuses. Recognition, opportunities for growth, and a positive environment can be more rewarding than money alone.

Dog running for a dummy, enjoying retrieving as a reward

When Treats Still Have a Role

Treats are not useless. They can jump-start learning or help in situations where the behaviour is new or challenging. For example, a dog learning a new trick may need treats to understand what is expected and create muscle memories, treats can help to create patterns until the behaviour itself is more rewarding.

The key is to gradually reduce treat frequency and replace them with natural rewards. This transition helps maintain motivation while building intrinsic value.

Treats can also give us an idea as to what system a dog is in. When a dog is in the rest and digest state they will take food from their handler, because essentially they are calmer and more relaxed state (Parasympathetic nervous system), whereas when a dog is in fight / flight mode (Sympathetic nervous system) they are less likely to take food because they are more anxious and ready to fight or flight, this information is important and tells us a lot about the mental or physical state of the dog. If you are about to run away eating is not productive in that moment. If you are happy and relaxed you are more likely to take food. So, when you meet a trainer and they are using food it may not be to reward the dog in that moment, but instead to figure out the mental state of that dog, there is more to it that just using food, there is body language too.

The Science Behind Reinforcement

Research in psychology shows that intrinsic motivation leads to better long-term outcomes. Studies on children’s learning reveal that external rewards can sometimes reduce interest in an activity once the reward starts. This is called the over justification effect. In simple terms, think about how you get into a hobby, you get quite good and someone then asks you to do it as paid work, the passion and love for that once hobby reduces because there is more pressure to achieve and deliver. I found this when I went from being a hobby horse rider to working in the industry, I lost my passion for it and it became a chore, even though I was being paid to do it and I still loved being around horses.

Now this isn't necessarily the same for dogs, but when a dog loves the work they are doing, then we may feel we have to add treats, what happens is the dog takes the food because it is offered, but the behaviour is more enjoyable and the treats are unnecessary, but because the dog takes the food the handler believes that it is making a difference.

In contrast, when people feel autonomous and competent, they engage more deeply. This applies to animals too. Dogs that enjoy the activity and feel connected to their trainer respond better and show less stress.

Practical Tips to Use Behaviour as Reward

• Observe what the dog enjoys naturally

• Use praise and attention generously

• Introduce challenges that match skill level

• Celebrate progress, not just results

• Mix in treats initially, then phase them out

• Encourage self-rewarding behaviours like taking pride or sharing success (in humans) for dog's it would be sniffing, running or jumping for energetic breeds.

  
  

Two Labradors running on a grass bank

Summary

Treats can be useful tools, but they are not the only or best way to reward behaviour. When the behaviour itself provides satisfaction, motivation becomes stronger and more lasting. By focusing on natural rewards, positive associations, and meaningful goals, we can encourage behaviours that stick without relying on external treats.