From Kibble to Gold: Unlocking the Power of Treat Value

When training a dog, especially when dealing with more intense training such as reactivity or aggression, it's important to use high value treats. As I’m sure many of you, like myself, love giving my dog treats, not just her own but anytime I’m eating something delicious, my dog will receive a bit as well. 

When it comes to dog training—especially when working through more intense behaviors like reactivity or aggression—using high-value treats is essential. If you’re like me, you probably love spoiling your dog with treats, not just the ones designed for them, but also sneaking them bites of whatever delicious snack you’re enjoying yourself. And while our dogs appreciate any treat, not all treats are created equal when it comes to training impact.

The difference between low, medium, and high-value treats comes down to how much your dog is willing to work for them. A low-value treat might be something like their kibble. These are great for simple obedience commands in calm, low-distraction environments—think “sit” or “down” in the comfort of your home. Kibble is familiar and still rewarding, but it doesn’t compete with more stimulating surroundings.

Medium-value treats are a step up—maybe a soft biscuit or a piece of cheese. These are ideal for training through mildly challenging behaviors, like leash pulling or jumping. In these moments, your dog is often distracted by something they find exciting, like a strong scent, an open car door, or a beloved visitor. The treat needs to be valuable enough to cut through that excitement and regain their focus.

High-value treats are your gold standard—things like boiled chicken, hot dogs, or liver. These are reserved for the toughest situations, like working through reactivity or aggression. When your dog is triggered—whether by another dog, a person, a car, or something else—that trigger becomes the most high-value thing in their world. Whether your dog wants to chase it, play with it, escape it, or act out aggressively, that focus is intense and all-consuming.

I’ve seen it firsthand. When my dog locks onto a trigger, it’s like she becomes a different dog—completely tuned out, unresponsive to her favorite toy or even her usual go-to treat. In moments like that, only the highest-value reward stands a chance at breaking through.

Understanding and strategically using treat value can make all the difference in your training journey—especially when dealing with more reactive or intense behaviors.

Ever since I realized Marlee struggles with reactivity, I’ve been doing constant research to better understand and support her. Recently, I came across Instinct—an online training program that focuses on reactivity and other behavioral challenges. Whenever I feel like our progress is stalling, I find it helpful to revisit the basics, and this course has been a great way to do just that.

The reactivity course is divided into clear, manageable phases. Right now, Marlee and I are working through Phase 1, which focuses on leash cues and unprompted attention. But before jumping into the training, the program starts with a fun and valuable activity called the Treat Tournament. It’s essentially a game where you test different treats to figure out what your dog values most—super helpful when building a reward system that actually motivates them.

I definitely recommend checking out this course if you're working through similar struggles. And just for fun (and maybe a little treat inspiration), I wanted to share Marlee’s treat tournament.

For low-value treats, we tested Marlee’s regular kibble against a peanut butter-flavored treat from her BullyMake box. Surprisingly, she chose the kibble as the winner. I have a feeling she was still getting used to the game, and maybe the novelty of kibble in a different context made it seem more exciting than usual. That said, I also think the flavor made a difference—her food is salmon-based, and I’ve learned that meat flavors tend to rank much higher on Marlee’s value scale than peanut butter, which was the flavor of the treats.

I didn’t have any treats on hand that felt clearly “medium value,” so I decided to skip ahead to the high-value round and let Marlee determine the ranking herself. Whatever came in lower on her high-value list would become her medium-value go-to.

Here’s what we tested:

• Hot dogs

• Cheese

• Salami

• Turkey baby food pouch

• Apple sauce

• Spray cheese

  
  

After several rounds, Marlee’s treat ranking from least to most valuable looked like this:

1. Apple sauce

2. Turkey baby food pouch

3. Cheese

4. Spray cheese

5. Salami

6. Hot dog

   
   

This little Treat Tournament turned out to be such a fun bonding activity for both of us—and even better, I now have a clearer idea of what types of treats to bring depending on what we might encounter during training. Whether it’s practicing leash cues or working through a reactive moment, I’m better prepared with rewards that actually motivate her.

I highly recommend giving this game a try if you’re navigating a training journey of your own! And I’d love to know—what are your pup’s favorite treats from low to high value? I’m always on the hunt for the next best thing to keep Marlee engaged!

Check out instinct training here: https://onlineschool.instinctdogtraining.com/

Disclaimer: I am not a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Instinct Training—just a personal reference based on my own experience. Always consult with your veterinarian or a certified professional before introducing new training methods, activities, or treats to ensure they’re safe and appropriate for your dog.