04/09/2026
“My dog swallows their treat so quickly, I don’t think they even taste it…”
I hear this surprisingly often when we talk about food rewards, especially about the real foodie dogs.
“It does not matter what I give him, he just swallows it whole.”
But does swallowing quickly really mean that it doesn’t matter to the dog what the value of the food reward is?
I don’t believe it does and the science supports a much more interesting picture.
A dog’s experience of food begins before it reaches their mouth. As the treat moves towards them, its aroma is already providing information. Smell helps the dog identify and anticipate what is coming, beginning the “wanting” stage of the reward cycle before the food is eaten.
I have also seen many a dog eagerly take a food reward, only to spit it straight back out because it was not what they were used t, or what they were expecting in that particular situation.
Taking food quickly does not necessarily mean the dog considers every reward equal. They may have already formed an expectation based on its smell, the context and their previous reinforcement history.
Dogs do also taste their food. They have approximately 1,700 taste buds, compared with around 9,000 in humans, and can detect qualities including sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savoury. Their sense of taste may be less finely discriminating than ours, but it certainly is not absent.
Chewing is not essential for taste, either. As soon as soluble compounds from the treat mix with saliva and contact the taste receptors, taste information can begin to be processed. Therefore, even a quickly swallowed treat may still provide a brief taste experience.
What rapid swallowing may reduce is the length and richness of that experience. Less chewing means less time in the mouth and potentially less release of aroma through the back of the nasal passage. But this rapid action does not mean the taste is undetectable.
The reward is the whole experience,
🌟The smell as the food approaches
🌟The anticipation created by previous experiences
🌟The taste and texture as it enters the mouth
🌟The physical experience of swallowing it
🌟The dog’s current hunger, arousal and emotional state
This is why two treats that disappear equally as quickly may not have equal value.
What does your dog’s behaviour tell you about how much they value it?
Will they work harder for it? Do they choose it when another option is available? Does it increase their motivation?Does it loose value in a more distracting environment?
So yes, I believe the food we choose still matters.
The dog’s nose may have recognised its value before it ever reached their tongue, and the anticipation of receiving it may be part of the reward itself.
Don’t assume all swallowed treats are equal. Let your dog show you what they value.
If you want more mindful and enquiring content, dive into our free ‘Nose First Dog Training Club’, for thought provoking topics and discussion ⬇️
https://www.skool.com/nose-first-dog-training-2236/about
Mandy
Founder, Canine Scentwork Academy & Nose First™ Dog Training Club
