If treats aren’t working to train your bulldog, don’t immediately panic. Your bully isn’t too stubborn to teach, or completely untrainable, or any of the other panicked thoughts that are running through your mind right now. This is actually a really common issue, with really common and simple reasons behind it, so why don’t we take a deep dive into why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog?
- Why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog
- Your bulldog doesn’t like the treats
- Treats are too hard
- They’re not excited by the treats
- Treats are too big
- They’re bored of the same treats
- Your bully isn’t hungry
- Treats are too dry
- You’re over-using treats
- Trainer errors
- Bulldog feelings
- Vet check
- What to do when the treats aren’t working to train your bulldog
- Treats aren’t working to train your bulldog: conclusion
Why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog
There are several different reasons behind why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog, so why don’t we take a closer look and work out which one might be the culprit behind your current situation:
Your bulldog doesn’t like the treats
Has your bulldog ever eaten that particular treat that you’re trying to give them? Are they a treat that you regularly use? It could be the case that your bulldog doesn’t like the taste or consistency of the treat. Switching to something they do like will soon solve that problem.
As RSPCA states:
“All training should be reward based. Giving your dog something they really like – such as food, toys or praise – when they show a particular behaviour means that they’re more likely to do it again.”
In short, if the treat isn’t a ‘treat’ to your bulldog, they likely won’t bother doing the command for the reward.
Treats are too hard
Really hard and crunchy treats can be difficult to eat for some bulldogs, particularly older doggos and those with existing dental problems, such as gum disease. Softer treats might be best for those pooches instead.
They’re not excited by the treats
If the treats don’t excite or interest your bulldog, they’re not going to consider them worthwhile – so they won’t do the command. The whole point of treats as reward or praise behaviour is because the dog loves them. Rewarding with treats doesn’t work if the doggo isn’t excited about them.
Treats are too big
Bulldogs have strong jaws, but their faces are squashed and flat, which can make very big treats a problem. Too big treats can hurt your bully’s jaw or teeth, which can result in them not wanting or reacting positively to that particularly treat from that point on.
They’re bored of the same treats
Do you give your dog the same treats over and over again? If so, have you considered that your bully might be bored of them? Or, at the very least, a little tired of them? All dogs need variation from time to time, and that goes for treats, toys, training exercises, fun activities, enrichment and more.
Your bully isn’t hungry
One reason why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog is, your doggo isn’t hungry and/or doesn’t fancy the treat. If this behaviour is out of the ordinary, it’s best to get your bully checked out by a vet. A doggo who loves treats, saying no to treats, isn’t always a good sign.
If you have recently fed your bulldog their breakfast, dinner, whatever, then there’s a good chance that they’re just full and aren’t in the mood to be greedy for treats.
If your dog doesn’t want to eat the treats, the treats aren’t going to work as a motivator or training tool.
Treats are too dry
In hot months your English bulldog might not want a hard, crunchy, dry treat. Does your bully have enough fresh, clean drinking water? Have you tried a softer or wetter treat, such as lick treats or dog-safe ice cream?
You could also consider soaking harder dog treats or kibble in cool water to soften them.
You’re over-using treats
Treats are meant to be just that: a treat. If they’re used all the time, daily, multiple times per day, they’ll start to lose their value – and your bulldog won’t be excited about performing tricks or commands to eat them.
Incorporate kibble into treat and rewards, by all means, but have ‘special’ treats for when your bully is super well behaved or performs commands as directed. How will your doggo know they’ve done well if their reward is just dinner kibble? Using kibble could teach your bulldog to perform tricks for dinner, and they might not perform those same commands in other scenarios.
Your bulldog should learn to do commands with treats, but those same commands should be practiced in scenarios when you don’t have treats in your hand or pocket, too.
Trainer errors
One of the biggest reasons behind why treats aren’t working to train your bulldog is because you aren’t training them in the right and appropriate way. This could be any number of things, including:
- Your commands aren’t consistent, i.e. “sit,” then “sit down”
- Rewarding your bulldog too late
- Using /trying too many commands at once
- Inappropriate or distracting surroundings
- Overwhelmed or frustrated trainer (you)
- Long training sessions (shorter ones are best for easily bored bulldogs)
- Your impatience
Bulldog feelings
Bulldogs might not want to train because of how they feel rather than something you are or aren’t doing. These might be the root cause of your bully’s refusal to train:
- Too hot
- Too cold
- Overstimulated
- Tired
- Unwell
- Overwhelmed
- Injured
- Stubborn
- Hungry
- Thirsty
- Need the loo
- Bored
- Wants affection instead
- Frustration over not understanding commands
Vet check
If your bulldog usually laps up the treats, then suddenly stops, it could be a sign that there’s something medical going on with them. This might be sore gums, toothache, stomach upsets, breathing issues, or something else. The vet check is vital to rule out something more serious or get treatment for an ailment or injury as soon as possible.
What to do when the treats aren’t working to train your bulldog
If regular ol’ doggy treats aren’t working to train out that English bulldog stubborn streak, make the treats more worthwhile. Treats only work as motivation for training and good behaviour if they are just that: treats.
Try using something else as a treat or training motivator for your dog, such as:
- Chicken (cooked)
- Turkey (cooked)
- Sausage (cooked)
- Cheese (small amount)
- Liver (freeze-dried)
- Different style of treat – i.e. dried fish instead of dried packet treats
- Different treat textures
- Different brand of treat (yes, bulldogs really can be that picky!)
- Homemade treats, with your dog’s favourite ingredients
- Apples, blueberries, or other fruits
If you don’t know what your doggo loves, get to know it. Let them try different treats from the list above (and your own, providing they are dog-friendly and safe,) and then use the ones they seem to go mad for as training rewards.
Alternating between rewards is also a good idea – between things like the treats listed above, special toys, extra garden time, lots of praise, head or bully rubs, that kind of thing. Once again, use what your dog loves the most. If you don’t know what that is yet, it’s time to find out.
Clickers and other training tools are also useful. You can click immediately. A treat might take an extra few seconds, which could be all the time your doggo needs to lose focus.
For more information on effective bulldog training why not take a peek at our bumper list: 101 Tips to Make Training a Bulldog a Breeze.
Treats aren’t working to train your bulldog: conclusion
Treats aren’t the be all and end all of training rewards, so don’t feel disheartened if your doggo isn’t picking things up as quickly as you’d like. In the nicest possible way, it could be just as much your error as it is theirs. Another reward, such as a toy, could be the trick to getting them to follow commands.
Training is about working together with your bulldog, using their strengths and harnessing their weaknesses – but you need a good, healthy relationship with them first. Work on bonding with your four-legged friend, learn to trust each other, and, more importantly, get to know your doggo! Figure out their likes and dislikes; then, you’ll find the perfect treat to train your bulldog!
Finally, remember that you are most definitely not alone. There are plenty of chats on Reddit that show plenty of pet parents struggling with their bouldering bullies, and we completely relate.
