Does your dog like praise or food best

Here in the sanctuary we spend our lives, not just looking after dogs, but studying them as well.  There’s no doubt that our canines pals are obsessed with food, it motivates them and they spend a lot of time thinking about it.  If dogs are fed something they don’t much like (such as dry complete) then they aren’t so bothered – just show them some chicken or steak and there’s a big difference – ‘yum, yum, yes please, I want it now’.

Dogs also like to be praised, when they are bonded with us they live for our approval.  Recent studies done at Portsmouth University have suggested that dogs are a bit selfish and only like to find objects that have some importance to them.   So is it true that dogs would rather suit themselves than help us?

We’ve found, after working with dogs for many years, that praise is far more important than anything else to a dog. They love to please us and ‘well done’ is more appreciated than any amount of treats or big dish of meaty dinner.   ‘Good boy’ gets more tail wagging and ‘love you’ smiles than anything else.  Giving both – a piece of chicken and a big fuss, – takes some beating though.