In the early stages of training we use food extensively to build the relationship, get focus, create engagement, teach the meaning of commands, reinforce behaviors, and shape body mechanics. Training dogs work for all their meals through games we play to charge verbal markers and establish the foundation of our canine communication system. In the beginning we reward desired behaviors continuously. As dogs progress in the training we reward variably, then randomly. We ultimately fade the food reward in the advanced stages of the training.