The adolescent stage in a dog's life—roughly between 12 and 24 months, depending on the breed—is notorious for testing an owner's patience. The once-eager, quickly-trained puppy can suddenly seem deaf, defiant, and driven entirely by distraction. Many owners who relied heavily on treats for early training find themselves in a tough spot. If positive reinforcement is the gold standard, why does it seem to fail when the "teenage terror" phase hits?

The answer often lies not in the treats themselves, but in how they were used and the lack of a solid relational foundation built alongside the training.

Treats are an indispensable tool for positive reinforcement, but their misuse can create an obedience problem rather than solve one.

The initial stages of training often involve luring, where a treat is used to guide a puppy into a position (e.g., holding a treat over the head to encourage a sit). Luring is a great teaching tool, but it must be faded out quickly.

* The Struggle: Many owners never transition past the lure. The dog learns that the command (the verbal cue) only means "look for the food in your owner's hand."

* The Result: When the dog is 18 months old and sees a squirrel, the lack of a visible treat means there is no motivation to listen to the empty verbal cue. They are following the lure, not the instruction.

Bribery occurs when you present the treat before the dog has offered the correct behaviour, especially after they have started to ignore a cue.

* Puppy Phase: "Sit... Sit... (Shows treat) Good sit!"

* Adolescent Phase: "Come! COME! (Pulls out high-value chicken) Good boy for finally coming."

When an adolescent dog is presented with high-value, real-world distractions (smells, other dogs, people), they make an economic decision: is a stale biscuit worth ignoring that interesting scent? If your training history has taught them that you only produce the good stuff when you need to bribe them out of a highly rewarding distraction, the treat's value is often not high enough to compete.

Relying on treats for everything means you devalue them in the real world when high-value distractions are accessible.

A fundamental shift in perspective is needed. Training should not be a transaction—you do this, you get that. It should be a collaborative relationship where working with the owner is inherently more rewarding than any outside distraction.

* Reliability in Distraction: A strong bond means your dog is inherently oriented toward you. When their focus is primarily on their human partner, they are naturally less driven by environmental distractions. The reward for listening is not just food, but the continuation of the relationship and the opportunity for shared activity.

* Emotional Regulation: The adolescent brain is undergoing major restructuring, often resulting in poor impulse control and heightened emotions. A dog with a strong, secure bond looks to their owner for safety, direction, and reassurance in novel or stressful situations. This focus can override the 'teenage angst' and the need to follow every impulse.

* The Ultimate High-Value Reward: For a truly bonded dog, access to you and your shared activities becomes the ultimate high-value reward. This is known as using "life rewards."

* Want to go out the door? Sit first.

* Want to chase the ball? Drop it first.

* Want a scratch behind the ears? Look at me first.

You are controlling access to everything your dog wants. This control is not about dominance; it's about making you the provider of all good things, reinforcing that listening to your cue is the gateway to a richer life.

The teenage years are the perfect time to pivot your training focus.

* Phase Out the Lure: The treat should move from your hand to your pocket, and then be delivered after the behaviour is complete, not used to guide it.

 * Vary Your Rewards: Use treats (if you have to), yes, but also use play, praise, a quick tug on a favourite toy, or access to a desired activity (e.g., "Good recall! Now you can go sniff that tree!"). This makes your dog a gambler—they'll keep listening because they never know which incredible reward they might get!

 * Focus on Engagement: Dedicate time outside of command training to just be with your dog. Play games, explore, and simply enjoy their company. This strengthens the emotional connection that will outlast any piece of cooked chicken or some squirt cheese.

Treats are fantastic tools, but they are only one part of the picture. The owners who succeed through the "teenage tearaway" phase are the ones who invest in the relationship first, ensuring that their dog works for a partner they trust and adore, not just for a paycheque!

#buildthebondnotthebelly

#buildingbondssince2016