What do you use for rewards/treats during training?

Question

I am curious about what other people use to treat/reward their dog during training.

I have been using Wellness Puppy Treats and Chicken. The chicken was suggested by our Trainer because my pup doesn't care too much for the packaged treats but loves the chicken.

What are some other healthy alternatives besides chicken?

Do you know of any packaged treats that really motivate your dog?

Do you have any recipes for homemade treats that dogs love?

FYI I have a 4 month old Scottish Collie, she is a large breed dog and is about 25 pounds at this time...don't know if this info is pertinent to your response, but thought I would add it in case it does make a difference.

Answer 1

Hey

Dont forget that treats dont only come in the form of food!! Try and vary your treats. Remember that you can give toys and praise as treats too!! I'd recommend that you eventually phase out the treats and use praise (doggies still love it!) and pats, even a game! You dont want a fat puppy on your hands!

Answer 2

some dogs like carrots (cut it up into SMALL pieces) or they like peaches (they really like the skin)

hope this helps.  good luck!

Answer 3

I use d**k Van Patten's Natures choice  dog logs.  I cut it up to use as treats for training.

The reasons:

1.  No sugars - Healthy, balanced (actually a balanced dog food)

2.  soft so easy to eat quickly,  

My dog is very small so I needed treats that would not upset the balance in her diet. Also, something that she would not spend a long time trying to eat.  All the dogs love this treat.  In fact when I go to class the other dogs follow me around because the can smell it in my pockets.

Answer 4

1 word for you Hotdogs. Dogs love them. Both of my dogs will do about anything for a little chuck of hotdogs.

Answer 5

I buy several different kinds of treats and mix them together in a treat pouch or a small plastic jar.

I use:

Zuke's Mini Naturals

Wellness WellBites (I cut each treat in 9 peices)

ZiwiPeak 'Good Dog' treats

Itty Bitty Buddy Biscuits

I sometimes also pick up sample packs of dog food, different flavors than what she's currently eating, and use pieces of kibble for a reward.

If I have fresh fruits and vegetables on-hand, I'll use blueberries, slices of carrot, green beans, and others.

.

Answer 6

I always like to use microwaved hot dogs.  Take a hot dog and cut it in 1/2 lengthwise, cut those 2 pieces in 1/2 lengthwise again.  Then cut them into 1/2 inch pieces.  Put them on a paper plate and microwave them until they are crunchy. The pieces will shrink some.  Put them in your "bait bag" or what ever you carry the treats in.  They really have a strong hot dog odor so it keeps the dogs attention on you because you are carrying them.

Answer 7

I use 'puppy coachies' but when there are distractions, these aren't enough to motivate my dog, so when we go to training, I make my own treats, called tuna brownies. According to my dog they are very tasty! Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup plain flour

1/2 cup oats

1 small tin tuna

2 eggs

1 tsp garlic powder.

(you can change the amount of oats/flour if you want to eg. 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup oats)

It doesn't have to be exact!

Then: Mix all of the ingredients together

Kneed the mixture onto a baking tray (add more flour/oats if too wet, add water if to dry)

Put into the oven at about 180C for about 20 minutes.

Take out and leave to cool, cut into small peices.

Hope your dog enjoys it as mich as mine does!

Answer 8

I use their daily food rations.  They don't get much kibble in a bowl unless I'm being lazy that day, they earn each and every single bit of it.

So let's see....

I use their food, toys, petting, walks, car rides, verbal praise, sticks, games, and even home made liver treats for new and/or particularly difficult tricks or really GOOD sessions (like a fast sit instead of taking forever to put their butt on the ground).

Find what her motivators are, what gets her up and excited to do things?  You can use almost anything your dog likes as a reward during training.

If you just google "home made dog treats" a ton of stuff comes up, just make sure it doesn't have any garlic in it.  Garlic is toxic to dogs, but for some reason shows up in TONS of treats and home made recipies.

Answer 9

if you live in England, James Well Beloved crack jacks are a hit with my dog, and my dog absolutely loves cheese - she goes mad for it!

Answer 10

Liver is good not too much or else it'll give the sh...t. Grill them they'll like it. Remember every time you give them treats you to minus that for their food.

Answer 11

I rarely use treats in training...I stick with verbal praise.  For the times I do need treats, I usually use frozen veggies and fruits...green beans, carrots, watermelon, etc.  For my lab who needs a specific delicious treat to help with some of the more serious issues...I use string cheese and/or meat (like a pepperoni.)

Answer 12

My dog loves the "Old Mother Hubbard Treats" the old fashioned assorted flavors. They are Natural, Oven-Baked Dog Biscuits. They are original CHICKEN, cheddar, and charcoal. All the flavors are Oatmeal, chicken, eggs, apples, and carrots.

The ingredients are: Whole Wheat Flour, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat, (Preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Molasses, Charcoal, Chicken, White Cheddar Cheese, Eggs, Turmeric, Paprika, Whole Ground Apples, Whole Ground Carrots, Garlic, ans Sea Salt.

Hope you'll try it.

Answer 13

Puppy Training Treats. They are packaged, good price! I used them with my puppy and he sits and lays down when I put my fists up!

Good Luck!

Answer 14

In addition to chicken, here's what really motivates our shih tzu when we use training treats:

Zuke's mini naturals (they have chicken, salmon and peanut butter flavors)

green beans

cheese (mild cheddar block cheese cut into small pieces)

turkey

turkey meatballs (homemade treat*) - If you don't want to take the time to roll out each meatball you can make this in a loaf pan (like meatloaf) and then just slice to the size you need.  These can also be frozen and then thawed out for training when needed.

scrambled egg

*These dog treat meatballs have parsley to help with fresh breath and it's super easy.

Parsley Meatballs

1 pound ground turkey or other meat like chicken or beef

1 egg

1 Tsp. chopped parsley

Optional:

Add cheese or chopped veggies (i.e. zucchini, carrots)

Directions: Mix all the ingredients together and shape into meatballs. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until browned.