Do you train with a mix of high and low-value treats? That might not be as rewarding as you think. 

By Claudia Bensimoun

First published: World Cynosport Rally

Published July 11, 2014, in World Cynosport Rally, and authored by Claudia Bensimoun, summarizing a University of Kentucky study by Dr. Kristina Pattison and Dr. Thomas Zentall on 10 dogs’ treat preferences. Findings: 9/10 dogs chose quality (string cheese) over quantity (cheese + carrot), showing a “less is more” effect linked to quick decision-making in social settings.

Does your dog prefer quality over quantity when it comes to treats? This World Cynosport Rally Dogs feature by Claudia Bensimoun on barkuptoday.com delves into a University of Kentucky study by Dr. Kristina Pattison and Dr. Thomas Zentall, revealing that 9 out of 10 dogs chose a single high-value treat (string cheese) over a mix with carrots. Dubbed the “less is more” effect, this research highlights how dogs prioritize quality and make fast decisions—skills honed in social or wild settings. For trainers, it’s a game-changer. Below are key insights from the study, including training implications. Read the full feature on RallyDogs.com here.

Have you ever wondered about your dog’s food choices? Would he prefer a wider variety of treats or a few favorite treats? In a new study at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Kristina Pattison and Dr. Thomas Zentall investigated whether our furry best friends preferred baby carrots and string cheese together, or just string cheese on its own. They did this by testing 10 dogs of different breeds. These findings were published in Springer’s Journal Animal Cognition. 

Lisa Chavez’s Havanese, Ebony, poses here with some of her favorite treats—photo courtesy of Lisa Chavez.

All the dogs enjoyed both the string cheese and the baby carrots. Most of them also preferred string cheese. Yet when given the option of one piece of cheese or both the cheese and the carrot, the results surprisingly showed that 9 out of 10 dogs chose the cheese alone.

Katherine Dattoma’s Border Collie, Ginger, loves to eat chicken—photo courtesy of Kayla Dattoma.

These results demonstrated that dogs would rather choose what they wanted and get less food overall than choose more food. Known as the ”less is more ” effect, scientists say this is a mental shortcut that favors the qualitative over the quantitative. 

Humans and monkeys also demonstrate a less-is-more effect. We tend to prefer a small number of high-quality products over a larger quantity of mediocre ones. Monkeys have been observed to prefer one grape over another with a slice of cucumber, yet will eat both the grapes and the cucumbers.

Ellinor Schmitz’s Bella, a Papillon, prefers new treats over ones she’s had before, but lobster is one of her favorites! Photo courtesy of Kim Butler and Courteous Canine.

Dogs demonstrated a preference for the quality of the cheese with the carrot rather than the sum of all the foods together. Dr. Pattison and Dr. Zentall believe that dogs find it easier to judge the average quality of the foods offered rather than the overall quantity of the alternative foods provided.

When dogs have to make quick decisions, the less-is-more effect comes into play. These fast choices come in handy when dogs eat together, since dogs that hesitate may actually lose out on food to other, quicker-thinking dogs.

Quick decision-making skills also help wildlife avoid becoming prey. Nonetheless, 1 in 10 dogs preferred the cheese-and-carrot combination. This suggests that motivation in dogs does play a role in decision-making.

“The present research indicates that the less is more effect is not unique to humans and other primates but can occur in other mammalian species, at least those that are socially organized such as carnivores like wolves, dogs and jackals,” explains Pattison. She suggests that further research is needed to find out if the “less is more” effect also occurs in less socially organized species such as rats, or non-mammalian species such as birds.

Deborah Davidson Harpur’s Rat Terrier, Rick

Conclusion

The “less is more” effect, uncovered by Dr. Kristina Pattison and Dr. Thomas Zentall, shows dogs prioritize quality treats like string cheese over quantity, reflecting their quick decision-making honed in social or wild contexts. For rally trainers, this means using high-value, single-item rewards (e.g., cheese, chicken) to boost focus and motivation, while varying treats sparingly to avoid confusion.

Pet owners can apply this by offering small, preferred snacks during training or play, enhancing bonding. This study highlights dogs’ wise choices—less can indeed be more for their well-being. Explore more training tips on BarkUpToday.com to optimize your dog’s diet and performance.

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