Reinforcers and Motivation: Finding What Drives Your Dog

Reinforcers are anything your dog finds rewarding. It could be a treat, a favorite toy, praise, or even the opportunity to sniff a bush on a walk. Reinforcers are essential for training because they help motivate your dog to repeat desired behaviors.

Motivation is at the core of effective training—understanding what motivates your dog helps us use the right reinforcers to encourage learning. Every dog is unique, and part of the training process is figuring out what your dog loves most and using that to reinforce good behavior. Whether it’s a delicious treat or an opportunity to play, the right motivator makes training fun and effective.

Here’s a huge list!