My Dog Just Isn’t Food Motivated” — Or Are They?

 Let’s bust one of the biggest training myths out there.

If I had a treat for every time someone told me their dog “just isn’t food motivated,” I’d never have to buy hot dogs again.

Here’s the truth: All dogs are food motivated.

They might not act like it right now, but trust me — food is wired into your dog’s brain from day one. Literally.

Puppies are born blind, deaf, and completely helpless — and yet, what’s the first thing they do? Root around for food. That drive never disappears… it just sometimes gets dulled or redirected. And that’s where we come in.

So why does your dog turn their nose up at treats during training?

If your dog doesn’t go bananas for snacks during training, it’s not because they don’t like food. It’s usually about howfood has been used (or not used) in their past experiences.

Here’s what might be going on:

 1. The Reward Doesn’t Feel Earned

If food just appears with no clear reason — like tossing treats around “just because” — your dog might not connect it to their own behavior. They don’t understand why they’re getting it, so it doesn’t hold value.

2. Food’s Been Used as a Bribe

If you’ve ever waved a treat around saying “Sit, come on, sit… SIT!” — you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. But this turns food into a distraction, not a reward. Your dog focuses on the food, not the learning.

3. Training Moved Too Fast

If your dog doesn’t understand what’s being asked, even the best snack in the world won’t make it click. Confused dogs shut down — especially if they’re sensitive or easily overwhelmed.

4. Food’s Just… Boring

If your dog gets the same kibble every day, from the same bowl, with no effort required — food loses its magic. Why work for something they can get for free?

Here’s the good news: Food motivation is not a fixed trait. It’s a skill. And just like recall, leash walking, or focus — it can be built.

How We Turn “Meh” into “Motivated”

In our program, we show you how to:

• Use food the right way (no bribing or begging)
• Build excitement around mealtimes and training sessions
• Create structure and consistency so your dog wants to engage
• Use food to teach, not just to treat

And the best part? This isn’t about spoiling your dog. It’s about building communication, clarity, and cooperation. You’re rewarding effort. And that matters.

“But Cher… my dog is different.”

Okay. But let me ask you this: Does your dog eat meals?

Then yes — they care about food. They just haven’t learned how it fits into training yet. Once they do? You’ll be amazed at how quickly they light up when you reach for a treat pouch.

Food Isn’t a Bribe — It’s Information

We don’t use food to beg our dogs to behave. We use it to mark and reward the behaviors we want more of. It’s one of the fastest ways to show your dog, “Yes, that! Do that again.”

And don’t worry — food doesn’t stay forever. Once behaviors are strong and reliable, we fade food out and bring in other rewards. But building the foundation? That starts with value.

Want to Learn How to Build Food Motivation?

Check out my Building Food Motivation PDF on Etsy — perfect if you want simple, step-by-step strategies.

Or dive deeper in our online course, Training Dogs Online, where we walk you through how to turn even the pickiest eaters into motivated learners.

You can have a food-motivated dog. You just need the right approach — and a little support.