Psychology Today | 01.01.2026 03:14
We know that positive reinforcement training is good for dogs (and cats!) because it keeps their brains active, helps to build the human-animal bond, and teaches them skills that help them live in a human world. But do you ever think about how it also provides enrichment in the form of little morsels of tasty food? This aspect of training is often overlooked by pet guardians, who sometimes grumble about the need to use food in training. But food is a great way to motivate your dog or cat to do particular behaviors or teach them to love something they aren’t sure about (or are even downright scared of). And as a bonus, because the food we use in training is not their daily kibble, it provides tasty bites of food enrichment.
