High Value Treats - What Does This Even Mean?

High value treats - have you heard this phrase before?

Lots of people talk about high value treats, but what does that actually mean?

Well, I've created the graphic below to try and help explain this idea visually:

Hierarchy of Food Rewards

When we are using food as a reinforcer, we need to be aware of what is actually considered worth working for by our dogs:

What's the difference between a chunk of carrot and a stinky piece of fish?

Would you rather work for a bowl of lettuce, or a thick slab of gooey chocolate cake?!

The graphic above shows a hierarchy of food reinforcers that my own dog, Fudge, preferred. Carrot actually does make an appearance on this chart since it was one of her favourites! However, a good stinky Sprat was so much better to her, therefore considered a high value treat for Fudge

We can also consider how different food rewards might be received in different locations or situations.

For example, Fudge would've eagerly worked for a chunk of carrot if at home, and it would hold lots of value in this situation. Whereas, when we did outdoor training, especially with lots of distractions, carrot would absolutely not cut it, and the Sprats would need to make an appearance!

Here we can apply a simple method of Preference Testing, to further understand our dog's view on food reinforcers (or other reinforcers!)

Have you seen those super cute videos of dogs 'taste testing' different food items to find their favourite? You can apply this same idea to see which treat trumps them all

Have a think about what your dog's chart might look like to get started

Emma, Elmtree Dogs (BSc, MSc Animal Behaviour & Training, UK Sniffer Dogs Instructor)