In canine training and behavior therapy, identifying effective reinforcers is crucial. While many dog owners believe they know their dog’s favorite foods, research has shown that formal preference assessments can more accurately determine which treats are most motivating. However, traditional assessments have been limited to laboratory settings and often require professional oversight.
A 2023 study by Mindy R. Waite and Tiffany Kodak, published in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, addressed this gap by modifying the established “paired-stimulus” preference assessment for everyday use. Their revised method allows dog owners to test multiple treats in a structured way, identifying a personalized ranking of what their dog enjoys most.
In the study, dog owners were trained to present food items in pairs, recording which treat the dog chose first across multiple trials. The results reliably revealed consistent preferences across individual dogs. Importantly, owners were able to implement the assessment protocol accurately and reported it as both feasible and acceptable for home use.
Because dogs are more responsive to higher-preferred items, using this kind of structured approach can significantly enhance the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and training. By giving owners the tools to assess their own dog’s preferences, the study supports more tailored reinforcement strategies, better welfare outcomes, and stronger dog-human communication.
Source: Mindy R. Waite & Tiffany Kodak (2023). “Owner-implemented paired-stimulus food preference assessments for companion dogs.” Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 120(1), 62–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.781
