Top 7 Rewards That Work Best in Positive Reinforcement Training

Reward-based training is the heart of positive reinforcement. But not all rewards are created equal—and what motivates one dog may do nothing for another. As a dog parent in Austin, Texas, understanding what truly drives your dog is key to building a strong, responsive relationship.

At Venture Dog Training, we tailor every training plan around what your dog loves most. Here's a breakdown of the top 7 reward types that consistently deliver results across breeds, energy levels, and training goals.

1. High-Value Treats

When in doubt, start with food. High-value treats are irresistible to most dogs and work exceptionally well for learning new behaviors or working in distracting environments (like Austin's busy Zilker Park).

Examples:

• Boiled chicken

• Freeze-dried liver

• Cheese

• Hot dog slices

• Commercial high-reward training treats

Tip: Use small, soft treats that are quick to chew so your dog stays focused on the next cue.

2. Toys and Tug Play

Some dogs are more toy-motivated than food-driven—especially high-energy breeds like Border Collies or German Shepherds. If your pup lights up at the sight of a ball or squeaky toy, use that enthusiasm to your advantage.

Best uses:

• Rewarding recall

• Channeling excess energy during off-leash play

• Building drive for sports like agility or Schutzhund

Austin Tip: Bring a tug toy to off-leash dog parks like Auditorium Shores for on-the-go reward play.

3. Verbal Praise

Never underestimate the power of your voice. Dogs are social creatures and crave positive feedback from their humans. While praise may not be enough on its own for complex behaviors, it reinforces your bond and boosts confidence.

Effective when combined with:

• Food or toy rewards

• Petting or affection

• Consistent tone of voice (happy, upbeat)

Example phrases:

• “Yes!” (as a marker)

• “Good job!”

• “That’s my girl/boy!”

  
  

4. Physical Affection

For dogs who thrive on touch, a gentle head scratch or belly rub can be as motivating as a treat. But this only works if your dog truly enjoys physical interaction.

Best for:

• Calm environments

• Relationship-building exercises

• Dogs with a strong attachment to their handler

Note: Learn your dog's preferences—some may prefer a chest rub over a pat on the head.

5. Life Rewards

Life rewards are real-world privileges that your dog values. These reinforce that good behavior results in access to enjoyable experiences.

Examples:

• Going for a walk

• Getting on the couch (if allowed)

• Playing in the backyard

• Getting to greet a friend

Training Tip: Before opening the door for a walk, ask your dog to “sit” or “wait”—then open it as a reward for calm behavior.

6. Freedom and Access

This is especially powerful during leash training or impulse control work. For many dogs, the ability to move forward, sniff, or explore can be incredibly rewarding.

Examples:

• Loose-leash walking: Reward calm walking by allowing sniffing

• Recall: Reward a successful “come” with free play

Austin Idea: Let your dog explore Lady Bird Lake trails or sniff around Red Bud Isle as a reward after focused training.

7. Clicker as a Marker (Paired with Rewards)

While a clicker isn’t a reward by itself, it's a powerful tool to clearly mark correct behavior, letting your dog know, “That’s it!” When paired with any of the above rewards, it accelerates learning.

Benefits:

• Precise timing

• Removes emotional bias (neutral sound)

• Helps dogs learn faster and stay engaged

How to use it: Click the moment your dog performs the behavior, then deliver the chosen reward.

How to Choose the Right Reward for Your Dog

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. At Venture Dog Training, we help our Austin clients create reward hierarchies—rankings of what their dogs value most. This allows you to scale rewards depending on the difficulty of the task.

Example Reward Hierarchy:

1. Boiled chicken (high-value)

2. Tug toy

3. Verbal praise

4. Belly rub

Use high-value rewards when teaching new behaviors or working in distracting environments, and use lower-value ones for maintaining known behaviors.

Final Thoughts

Using the right reward is what makes positive reinforcement so powerful. It’s not about bribing your dog—it’s about tapping into their natural desires and encouraging them to repeat the behaviors you want.

Whether you're in downtown Austin or hiking the Barton Creek Greenbelt, training becomes easier and more enjoyable when your dog is motivated, focused, and excited to learn.

At Venture Dog Training, we help you discover exactly what makes your dog tick—and use that to build trust, confidence, and real-world obedience. Contact us today to learn how we can customize a reward-based training plan that fits your dog’s personality and your lifestyle.