The "Treat Guy"

If your dog has met Wayne, chances are they know him as "The Treat Guy." Dogs light up when they see him. Tails wag. Eyes sparkle. They eagerly run over to say hello. People often laugh and say, "Of course my dog likes him, he has treats!"

Exactly.

And that's why you should carry treats too.

Treats Are More Than Food

Many people think treats are simply rewards for training sessions. While they certainly are useful for teaching new behaviors, treats are much more powerful than that. Treats help create positive associations.

Every time your dog experiences something good in your presence, your value increases. You become a source of safety, fun, and predictability. Whether you're teaching a new cue, navigating a scary situation, or simply spending time together, treats help strengthen your relationship. Your dog learns that being near you is rewarding.

Building Your Reinforcement History

In dog training, we talk about "reinforcement history." Simply put, it means all the positive experiences your dog has had with you over time. Think of reinforcement history as making deposits into a relationship bank account. Every treat, game, praise session, sniff walk, or fun experience adds another deposit. When life becomes challenging, perhaps your dog is frightened, distracted, stressed, or asked to do something difficult, you can draw upon that account. The more you have in that account, the more is available to you when you need it. Dogs are more likely to listen to, trust, and follow people who have consistently provided good things. That is one reason why they often listen to the "Treat Guy."

Treats Help in Everyday Life

Carrying treats isn't just for training class; treats can help:

• Reward your dog for checking in on walks

• Reinforce coming when called

• Create positive associations with strangers, dogs, or new environments

• Help your dog recover from a startling event

• Reward calm behavior in the home

• Encourage your dog to make good choices

  
  

The more you reinforce behaviors you like, the more likely you are to see them again.

Don't Save Treats for Problems

One of the biggest mistakes people make is only pulling out treats when their dog is struggling. Instead, use treats proactively.

Reward your dog when they are already making good choices. Reward calmness. Reward attention. Reward cooperation. Reward those moments when your dog chooses you over the distractions in the environment.

Those small moments add up.

Become Your Dog's Treat Guy

Being "The Treat Guy" isn't really about treats. It's about being the person your dog loves to engage with. It's about creating a relationship built on trust, positive experiences, and reinforcement. It's about becoming someone your dog wants to follow because good things happen when they're with you.

So the next time you leave the house with your dog, grab a handful of treats. Carry them in your pocket, treat pouch, car, or jacket. Use them generously and build your reinforcement history. This will strengthen your relationship.

And who knows? Maybe one day your dog will have a cute nickname for you, too.

Be the treat guy or gal. Your dog will thank you for it.

Do you have a treat for me?