I am training my puppeh, the divine Miss Akiko, and I’d like to mix up her training treats a bit. I’d like something super deluxe for when I want to do a bigger than usual reward, or when she’s learning something new. For example, when she sits, she gets praise ('Cause she knows that one and does it reliably) and the occasional reward. When she stands up and touches my hand, she gets a treat (still learning, but getting much better). I want something ultra for when she does a recall across a crowded dog park, or works on “stay”. Something that is enticing to her and worth working for.
Right now I use kibble, small dog treats, and Bil-jac.
I’d like recommendations for treats that I can buy or make. They need to be smallish (about the size of a thumbnail) or able to be broken into smaller bits.
Are you up for making them yourself? I have a ton of dog treat recipes that I use to help to train and calm dogs. My usual go to is Molasses Peanut Butter treats, pretty basic recipe and I’ve yet to have a dog not love them.
If you are going for store bought, I usually go with Zuke’s brand treats. They have a pretty wide variety, including some that contain needed vitamins for specific conditions (I get high glucosamine ones to help with my dog’s arthritis).
Having a few different treats to alternate between keeps the dog interested and excited, especially whenever you add a new flavor into the mix. I would usually add a new flavor when the dog learned or mastered a new trick or command.
Obviously, keep an eye out for food allergies, they are not all that common, but if you are giving a wide variety, it ma b hard to track down what is causing an issue.
My dog’s favorite treat is frozen green beans (the cut type). Small, cheap, crunchy, and practically zero calories. Little chunks of apple are a close second.
Hella, cutie!!
Liver, liver, liver.
Chicken liver boiled. It’s real chewy. Beware it makes for bad breath. My 2 dummies don’t do anything but stare at me during training time, but they love the chicken livers.
ETA, mild cheese cubes. If you don’t have digestive issues.
Speaking of which, my dachshund ADORES Wellness Bites (there are a few flavors). Definitely doggie crack. I have to yell NO GRAB as I give him the treat, or he tries to take my arm off at the elbow. He’s semi-trainable (he’s a dachshund, but I repeat myself), and these work for me.
Absolutely agreed! Giblets of all kinds make wonderful treats. I actually prefer giving gizzards as they are chewier but I’ve never seen a dog yet that would turn their nose up at one.
I could probably train my dogs to do algebra while jumping through hoops of fire if there were peanut butter pretzels at the end of it. It’s ridiculous how much they love those things!
My dog only likes meat (no green beans or carrots for this girl), so when I was training her I used cut up pieces of hot dog & sometimes I’d grill a steak & cut it up into tiny pieces. It didn’t take much & I would freeze baggies of cut up meats to use when needed. My dog will do anything for meat treats.
That’s not a Dachshund!