Treat and Toy Challenge
Taste Test
Food is information. Feeding immediately after your dog does a desired behavior tells them, "Yes! Give me more of that!" Different distractions and environments dictate the need for different value levels of treats. I recommend using the lower value food for training indoors. Use the medium value treats for training in your yard or lobby. Use the highest value treats for training outside. Remember, your dog is always learning. Having the appropriate value level of food available will help you effectively communicate with your dog. Let's find out your dog's food preference and hierarchy!
Place 6 different types of food on your counter. The food should range from kibble/Charlie Bears, to a jerky-type treat, string cheese, hot dogs, all the way up to real meat (human food) like chicken/steak/roast beef/salmon/meatballs.
You're going to present the taste test working from typically low value food to high value food.
Grab kibble in one hand and the next lowest food in the other. Present your closed hands two feet apart at your dog's nose level. Observe your dog. Which hand is your dog most interested in? Open that hand and feed the food from that hand. Put the unchosen food aside. Wash your hands and reset.
Grab another piece of whichever food your dog chose in the opposite hand from the last taste test. Grab the next level of taste test food with the other hand. Once again, present your closed hands two feet apart in front of the dog's nose. Feed your dog from whichever hand he/she chooses. Place the unchosen food aside.
Wash your hands and repeat, working your way up to the presumably high value food. Remember to place the chosen food in the opposite hand for the next taste test. Repeat until you can place all 6 pieces of food in order from low value to high value. Now you have a better idea of your dog's treat preference!
Toy Test
Toys themselves may not be the reward. Playing with the toy is often the reward. Let's see which toy your dog prefers to play with.
Just like with the taste test, we're going to have a variety of toys to compare. Choose six toys to compare. Toy value can be more dog dependent and less universal. Rubber toys may be of lower value. Rope and stuffed animal toys may be medium value. Higher value novel toys may include a ball, flirt pole, and a tug toy covered in real rabbit fur.
You'll follow the same instructions from the taste test. Starting with the presumably lower value toys, place one in each hand. Present your hands two feet apart at your dog's head level. After your dog has chosen a toy, use that toy to play with your dog.
When you're ready to start the next test, offer your dog a medium value treat. When he/she drops the toy, feed your dog and take the toy away. The chosen toy goes in the opposite hand and the next toy goes in the other hand. Repeat the exercise, working up to the high value toys. Remember to always trade your dog for the toy using a medium value treat.
Once you have identified your dog's toy hierarchy, you can now use playing with this toy as reinforcement. You can even bring the highest value toy on your walks! Did your dog respond to his/her name with distractions outside? Time to run away from the distractions and play with the highest value toy!
Treat VS Toy
Now, would your dog prefer a treat or playing with a toy? Your dog's preference may change depending on the situation. Repeat the test comparing low value food to low value toys, working up to high value food and toys. Remember to switch hands so your dog doesn't develop a side bias.
Now you have information specific to your dog regarding his/her preferences. When you control the path to reinforcement, you control everything. Rewarding your dog for desired behavior is extremely powerful. Understanding your dog's reward hierarchy will improve your communication with your dog. Knowledge is power!