Rewarding a pet canine: Follow these veterinarian-endorsed suggestions for the perfect fit
Amelia Steele, a renowned dog trainer and behavioural consultant, known as Amelia the Dog Trainer, has shared her expert tips for training small dogs, particularly focusing on loose leash walking.
Steele emphasises the importance of using high-value, small treats during training. Smaller breeds often respond well to tiny, easily consumable rewards that keep them motivated and engaged without distracting them from training. She recommends treats that are special, soft, and quick to eat, ensuring the dog remains focused on walking and does not get bogged down by large, hard treats.
One of Steele's key strategies is timing the reward precisely. Deliver the treat immediately when the dog walks with a loose leash, reinforcing the exact behaviour she wants. Enthusiastic verbal praise alongside treats helps build a positive association.
Steele also advises keeping training sessions short but frequent to maintain the dog’s attention and prevent fatigue or disinterest. Gradually reducing treat frequency while maintaining praise helps the dog learn to walk nicely without constant food motivation.
Marking the right time when a dog is looking at or engaging with you before delivering the treat is another important aspect, according to Steele. She also suggests rolling a treat behind you for a dog to find and then rewarding them when they catch up as another way to reward a small dog.
Steele encourages persistence when teaching a dog to catch treats. Every dog can learn to catch treats, she explains, using Brooklyn as a demonstration dog. Some dogs may need practice to catch treats correctly, but missing the treat initially is not a cause for concern.
When it comes to scavenging behaviour, Steele states that rewarding treats to the floor will not encourage dogs to scavenge. Instead, giving dogs an outlet for their natural scavenging behaviour by doing it themselves is a good way to fulfill that need.
Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats are suitable for small dog training, as reported by tester Isaiah. His dog Hayes could and would eat the whole bag if allowed, but these treats are effective in keeping the dog engaged and focused during training.
Steele also offers advice on three common loose leash walking mistakes and how to fix them. She advises saying "One, two, three, catch" before throwing a treat towards a dog's nose and teaching small dogs to catch treats instead of having to bend down to give them.
You can find more of Steele's training advice on her Instagram posts around July 2025. Her core training foundations are central to her method, as highlighted in her recent posts.
- Amelia Steele's training strategy for small breed dogs involves using high-value, small treats that are soft, quick to eat, and can keep the dog focused during sessions.
- Timing the reward precisely when the dog exhibits the desired behavior, such as loose leash walking, is crucial in Steele's training method, as it reinforces the behavior she wants.
- Steele recommends keeping training sessions short but frequent to maintain the dog's attention, while gradually reducing treat frequency to help the dog learn to walk nicely without constant food motivation.
- Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats are suitable for small dog training sessions, as reported by tester Isaiah, who found the treats effective in keeping his dog engaged and focused during sessions.
