But my dog's not food motivated!

Ever tried using treats to train your dog, only to find that they couldn’t care less? It’s frustrating, right? I get it—when your dog’s not motivated by food, training can feel like an uphill battle.

 

Food is one of the most effective tools we have to reward good behavior, but if your dog isn’t interested, it’s time to dig deeper.

 

In this episode, I’ll walk you through five possible reasons your pup might be turning up their nose at food rewards and, more importantly, what you can do to change that. I’ll share some easy, practical solutions to get your dog excited about food—and yes, even eager to work for those treats!

 

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll cover:

• Health checks first: Sometimes, there’s an underlying health issue that could be affecting your dog’s appetite. I’ll share the red flags to look for and when it might be time for a vet visit.
• Are you using the right treats? The type and quality of food matter more than you think. I’ll talk about how to find the best, most motivating treats for your dog.
• Fear and anxiety: We don’t always realize how stress impacts a dog’s willingness to eat. We’ll discuss how to spot anxiety and fear-related issues and ways to help your pup feel more secure.
• Free feeding problems: If your dog is used to having food available all day, they might not be motivated by more food. I’ll explain why structured mealtimes can be key to successful training.
• Picky eater or learned behavior? Sometimes, our dogs are just picky—but other times, we’re unintentionally reinforcing those habits. I’ll share tips to break the cycle and encourage a healthier relationship with food.

 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what’s going on with your dog and the tools you need to improve their food motivation. Trust me, once you unlock this part of training, it can transform your bond with your dog.

 

Thank you for taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt! Be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive more training tips, canine wellness advice and fun activities for dogs and their owners!

 

If you have questions about today's episode, or if there's a topic you want to learn more about, come connect with me on Facebook and Instagram at mannersformutts. If you enjoyed this podcast, head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a review - I'd love to hear what's been helpful for you and your canine friends. Talk to you next time!

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence Program

Happy Howies Treats

Fig & Tyler - Use code "SL2578" for a 10% discount!

 

Connect with Staci Lemke:

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