Focused vs Motivated vs Driven

Are you ready to dive into the delicious world of pups motivation?

Today, we’re unpacking the playful connections between food-focused, food-motivated, and food-driven pups! Whether your pooch is casually eyeing that treat or performing mad tricks for a crumb, each term highlights a unique relationship with food that shapes their behaviours. Let’s explore how your dog interacts with their favourite treats and discover where they fall on the food drive scale

These terms all relate to a dog’s relationship with food, they highlight different aspects of how food influences a dog’s behaviour. So let’s breakdown each term! Every dog falls into a category and there a many varied factors to consider if your dog “isn’t food focused”

Food-Focused

This refers to a dog’s attention and concentration on food. A food-focused dog is highly aware of food, and it often means the dog can be interested on the presence of food, but not necessarily driven to perform behaviours to get it. They may stay near the food, look at it, or expect it, but they might not always actively seek it out or work for it!

Food-Motivated

A food-motivated dog will actively work or perform trained behaviours such as sitting, dropping, or responding to advancing cues in exchange for the snacks. This term emphasises the dog’s willingness to do something in exchange for food!

Food-Driven

This is a more intense version of food motivation. A food-driven dog will prioritise food above almost everything else, often to the point where food becomes the primary force behind their actions. A food-driven dog is so strongly motivated by food that they might be less responsive to other stimulus. They may be persistent in seeking food or performing varied behaviours to get that snack!

If your dog “isn’t food-motivated”, it could be due to a variety of environmental influences or underlying reasons, such as distractions and interests, or stressors that might cause them to lose interest in food, let’s explore the alternatives for why your dog might not be as interested!

They could simply not have the pairing between cues and rewards just yet!

If your dog has recently eaten or is not particularly hungry, they may not be as enthusiastic about food

Underlying medical issues like nausea, dental discomfort, or tummy issues could also suppress their appetite or interest in food

Textures and tastes of snacks also weigh in for many dogs, especially older babes or young puppies, they may not like a harder treat!

A fun fact to wrap up and build anticipation for our next post is that dogs don’t just have drive for food. Another reinforcer can be toys and play! Toy Drive refers to the dog’s desire and enthusiasm for toys, often used as a motivator and/or reward. Dogs with high play or chase drive can more interested in, and driven by toys over food!