Do Dogs Like Praise? How to Tell and Use It in Training

Many dogs enjoy praise, especially when your voice is warm and your attention follows something they chose to do. What matters most is your dog’s response: if they turn toward you, stay engaged, or eagerly repeat the behavior, your praise is likely working as a reward.

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Say “good dog” or another short phrase right after the behavior you want to encourage, so your dog can connect your response with their action. Keep your tone upbeat but comfortable for your dog; a soft, cheerful voice may suit a sensitive dog better than an excited shout.

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Praise can be a useful reward for familiar, easy behaviors, particularly when your dog is relaxed and focused on you. For a new skill or a distracting setting, you may get a clearer response by pairing praise with something your dog values highly, such as a treat, a toy, or a chance to play.

Notice whether your dog approaches for more attention or instead looks away, moves off, or becomes less engaged; those reactions can help you adjust your voice and timing. You can also try praising before offering a reward your dog already likes, then see whether the praise itself begins to hold their attention during practice.

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Start with a quiet, familiar place and praise the instant your dog sits, comes to you, or makes another choice you want to reinforce. Our The Power of Praise in Dog Training: How to Use Praise as Reward for Dogs eBook Guide focuses on this training topic, and you can read our guide to praising your dog during training for more on putting praise into practice.