Dogs respond better to attention than treats for several reasons rooted in their social nature, emotional needs, and individual personalities. Here are some key factors that explain why attention can often be more effective than treats:

1. Social Animals:

   • Pack Mentality: Dogs are naturally pack animals that thrive on social interactions. They have evolved to be highly attuned to human emotions and body language.

   • Bonding: Positive attention from their human companions reinforces the bond between dogs and their owners, which is inherently rewarding for them.

2. Emotional Fulfilment:

   • Affection and Love: Dogs crave affection and love from their owners. Petting, praising, and playing with them provide emotional fulfilment that treats cannot match.

   • Security and Comfort: Attention from their owners provides dogs with a sense of security and comfort, making them feel safe and valued.

3. Variable Value of Treats:

   • Satiety: If a dog is not hungry or has already consumed a lot of treats, the value of additional treats decreases.

   • Dietary Preferences: Not all dogs are motivated by food, especially if they have dietary restrictions or are simply picky eaters.

4. Reinforcement Schedules:

   • Consistency: Attention can be given consistently and immediately, while treats might not always be readily available or appropriate for constant use.

   • Long-Term Training: Training that relies on attention can be more sustainable over the long term. Dogs learn to respond to their owner's cues and commands without the expectation of a treat every time.

5. Behavioural Conditioning:

   • Positive Reinforcement: Attention such as praise, petting, and play is a form of positive reinforcement that can effectively shape desired behaviours.

   • Non-Food Rewards: Incorporating non-food rewards like playtime, walks, and verbal praise can make training more holistic and adaptable to various situations.

6. Individual Differences:

   • Personality Variations: Some dogs naturally prefer social interactions over food. For these dogs, attention is a more powerful motivator.

   • Breed Differences: Certain breeds are more people-oriented and respond better to human interaction than others.

7. Health Considerations:

   • Weight Management: Using attention as a reward helps in managing a dog's weight, avoiding the risk of overfeeding that comes with frequent treat use.

   • Dietary Restrictions: Dogs with allergies or specific dietary needs benefit from non-food rewards.

8. Mental Stimulation:

   • Engagement: Attention from their owners often involves engaging activities like training sessions, playing games, or learning new tricks, which provide mental stimulation.

   • Boredom Prevention: Regular attention helps prevent boredom and associated behavioural issues, keeping dogs mentally and emotionally satisfied.

Overall, while treats can be an effective tool for training and rewarding dogs, attention often provides a more comprehensive and emotionally satisfying form of reinforcement, fostering a deeper bond and more consistent behavioural responses.