When you hear (or read) "reward your dog" do you automatically think of food?  While food is easy to deliver quickly and repeatedly and most dogs are willing to work very hard to get it, it is not your only option! 

So, what can be used as a reward for your dog doing as you ask?     Here’s a list of 101+ items to get you started…

Only your dog can decide which of these items he/she really sees as a reward! Note that not all of the food suggestions would be considered "healthy", but in small quantities should be fine.  Never use raisins, grapes, chocolate or anything with onion as those are toxic to dogs. Also, some dogs may have allergies or sensitive digestive systems.  Do what is right for your dog and make wise choices from the list (or experiment to find what your dog loves!)      

Some of these same items could be a "punishment" for some dogs, so it is important to use what YOUR dog likes and will work to get.    

(This list is modified from a list created by Officer Steve White – www.i2iK9.com – who uses positive reward training with great success for training police K-9’s)              

Foods:    
Hot dogs,    
Cheerios,    
Capt’ Crunch and other cereals,    
Freeze-dried liver,    
Crumbled ground beef,    
Pounce cat treats,    
Bil-Jack dog food or treats,    
Rollover/Natural Balance rood rolls,    
Kibbled dog food,    
String cheese,    
Cheese slices (broken into small bits),     
Leftover steak pieces,    
Hard-boiled eggs (may cause gas),     
Sardines (will cause fish breath),    
Trout pellets,    
Rabbit pellets (the food, not the end result),    
Cheetos, (will take on scent of other treats in a baggie)   
Cheese Whiz,    
Popcorn (this is a grain in case your dog has grain allergies),    
French fries,    
Ice cubes,    
Carrots, beans and other veggies,    
Pineapple, raspberries and other fruit,    
Bread crust,    
Croutons,    
Rice cakes,    
Pureed liver (use a spoon or finger tip),    
Canned cat food (use a spoon or finger tip),    
Cooked pasta (many forms),    
Rice balls,     
Peanut Butter,    
Baby food,    
Lunchmeat,    
Any meat (cooked is easier to work with),    
Most leftovers,    
Unsalted crackers,    
Dog treats found in pet stores (what a novel idea)

Objects/toys:    
Tennis balls,    
Kongs,    
Rope tugs,    
Frisbees,    
Sticks,    
Firewood,    
Boat bumpers,    
Buoys,    
Bicycle tires,    
Car tires,    
Burlap sacks,    
Puppy tugs,    
Protective sleeves,    
Sweatshirt or Jacket sleeves (not my 1st choice),     
Bite suit,    
Leashes,    
Tracking harness being put on,
Fire hose tugs,    
Street hockey balls,    
Hockey pucks,    
Soccer balls,    
Basketballs,    
Boomer balls,    
Ultra balls,    
Piece of garden hose,    
Five-gallon buckets,    
Carpet rolls/squares,    
Plastic bag on a rope, fishing rod or lunge whip operated by you    
I’m sure there are many more and your dog might find his own favorite objects.

Activities:    
Fetch,    
Get in the crate (especially if it’s in the car and takes the dog fun places!),    
Get out of the kennel,    
Go into the house,    
Go out of the house,    
Get in the car,    
Get out of the car,    
Eat dinner,    
Fight the water hose,    
Belly rub,    
Neck/Butt scratch,    
Wrestle,    
Play with other dogs,    
Chase the cats,    
Play with the kids,    
Down,    
Heeling,    
Jumping,    
Chase the laser spot,    
Tracking,    
Find-it games,    
Building searching,    
Target stick,    
Swimming,    
Dope searching,    
Chasing Squirrels    
Agility    
Lure Coursing    
Going for a walk,    
Barking,    
Digging,    
Marking territory,    
Dock Diving,    
Getting dollar bills and dropping them in a bucket,    
Holding a basket for people to put donations in,    
Greeting people,    
Therapy Visits,    
Carting,    
Weight pull,    
Sledding,    
Skijoring,    
Flyball,    
Herding,    
Biking,    
Cuddling,    
and Praise