How to Use Treats in Dog Training: Q&A With ASCENDK9 | Wildcrofts

Treats are one of the most useful training tools you have. They are also one of the most misunderstood. Most dog owners reach for a treat without thinking twice. But the size of the reward, when you give it and how often all make a real difference to how quickly your dog learns. 

Get it right, and training feels easier for both of you. Get it wrong, and you can end up with a dog who only listens when they can see food, or who is full after five minutes. 

So we asked someone who does this every day.

Meet Becky, 
Founder of ASCENDK9

Becky Burrell is the dog trainer behind ASCENDK9, offering dog and puppy training across Essex and Hertfordshire. 

Her focus is real-world training. That means recall at the park, calm walking on busy streets and helping reactive dogs feel more confident, not just perfect sits in the kitchen. She works with all kinds of dogs and owners through private lessons, puppy training, group classes and workshops. 

Below, Becky answers the questions we hear most often about training with treats. Her answers are in her own words. We have added a few extra tips and checklists along the way.

Why Treats Work?

1. Is there a risk of giving too many treats when training? 

Becky says: Yes, because treats still contribute to your dog’s overall food intake. Using small pieces and taking training rewards into account as part of their daily food allowance can help avoid overfeeding. It is easy to lose track. A few treats on the morning walk, a training session after lunch, a couple for good behaviour in the evening. It adds up quickly, especially if the pieces are on the large side. 

2. How can owners factor training treats into their dog's overall diet? 

Becky says: Think of treats as part of your dog’s overall food intake rather than something completely separate. If you’re doing lots of training, you can account for those rewards when considering how much other food your dog receives that day. 

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Easy ways to keep on top of treats: Keep pieces small Measure out the day's treats in the morning Use part of your dog's normal food for easy behaviours at home Save higher-value treats for the harder moments Choose treats with simple ingredients and no unnecessary fillers If you are ever unsure about the right daily amount for your dog, your vet is always the best person to ask.

The Mistakes to Avoid...

3. What are the biggest mistakes owners make when using treats for training? 

Becky says: Giving pieces that are too large, rewarding too late and constantly showing the dog the food before asking for the behaviour are common mistakes! Another is reducing rewards before the dog has really understood what is being asked. 

Quick checklist: are you making any of these?

✔️ Treats too big → break them smaller before you start

✔️ Rewards too late → reward within a second or two, or use a marker word

✔️ Food shown first → keep treats in a pouch or pocket until the behaviour happens

Most of these are small habits. Fix one or two, and you may notice a difference within a few sessions.

Getting Started

4. What advice would you give someone starting reward-based training for the first time? 

Becky says: Keep it simple and start somewhere your dog can succeed. Use small rewards, get your timing right and concentrate on reinforcing the behaviours you want to see more often. Training doesn’t need to be complicated or involve long sessions! 

Your first-session checklist: 

✔️ A quiet space with few distractions 

✔️ A handful of small, tasty treats, ready to go

✔️ One simple behaviour to work on 

✔️ A marker word, if you are using one 

✔️ A few minutes, not an hour

✔️ Finishing on a win, while your dog is still keen 

✔️ A couple of short sessions a day will usually do more than one long one.

✔️ Little and often beats long and tiring. 

Quick Recap

✅ Treats work because rewarded behaviour gets repeated 

✅ Keep pieces much smaller than you think 

✅Reward often when teaching something new 

✅ Only vary rewards once your dog is reliable 

✅ Reward after the behaviour, not before 

✅ Match the value of the treat to the difficulty of the task 

✅ Count treats as part of your dog's daily food 

✅ Keep sessions short, simple and successful

About the Trainer

Becky Burrell, ASCENDK9

ASCENDK9 offers dog and puppy training across Essex and Hertfordshire, including private lessons, puppy programmes, group classes, workshops and virtual coaching. Becky's approach is all about building focus, confidence and a relationship with your dog that works in everyday life. If you would like more training tips, or to train with Becky yourself:  

Website: ascendk9.com 
Instagram: @ascendk9 
Facebook: ASCENDK9 

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line As Becky shows, treats are not just a nice extra. Used well, they are one of the clearest ways to tell your dog what you want. Keep them small. Get your timing right. Reward the behaviour, don't bribe it. And make sure the reward matches the job you are asking your dog to do. The right treat makes every one of those steps easier. Explore Wildcrofts freeze-dried dog treats for light, natural rewards that break easily into training-sized pieces and are simple to carry on every walk.

Try Wildcrofts freeze-dried treats:

Simple, natural dog treats for training, recall, rewarding and everyday moments. Gently freeze-dried and easy to portion, with chicken, turkey and fish flavours.

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