Which treats are best for dog training?
So, you’d like to find out what magical morsels will turn even the most stubborn pup into an obedience champion? Lucky for you I’m an expert in all things delicious and dog-related (okay, alright, so I’m mildly food-obsessed). Let’s dive into the tasty details!
Imagine trying to learn a new skill for a plain ol’ celery stick. Boring, right? Now think of a delicious cream puff with chocolate sprinkles on top as the reward. Now we’re talking! Just like you, we dogs need the right motivation to master our moves and get our brains clicking into training mode. Before we get to the meat of the matter (pun very much intended), let's chew on some key takeaways:
Quick Sniffs
High-Value Treats
Think of them as the ultimate jackpot – the kind that makes us dogs do anything for, like tiny pieces of chicken, cheese, or even liver. Save these for those special moments when you really want to get our attention and teach us something new.
Size Matters
Training treats should be small – just a nibble-sized morsel that we can gobble up quickly. This way, we stay focused on the task and don’t get side-tracked by chewing.
Healthy Options
Just like you shouldn’t live on sweets alone (no matter how tempting), we need treats that are good for us. Look for treats made with real meat, fruits, and veggies.
Variety is the spice of life
Ever get tired of eating the same snack every day? Us too! Mixing up the treats keeps things exciting and keeps us guessing. Try rotating between different types of treats – one day it’s beef, the next it’s a piece of apple.
Avoid Overfeeding
I know, I know – those puppy eyes are hard to resist. But too many treats can turn us into little roly-polies. Balance treat time with our regular meals and consider using some of our kibble as training rewards.
Digging Deeper: The Treat Hierarchy
Low-Value Treats: The Everyday Nibbles
These are your run-of-the-mill kibble or basic biscuits. Perfect for times when your little fluffball just needs a little nudge in the right direction.
Medium-Value Treats: The "I'm Listening" Morsels
When you need your pupster to pay a bit more attention, these treats will perk up those ears.
High-Value Treats: The "I'll Do Anything" Happy Dance Delicacies
Break these out when you really need your furbubby to bring their A-game. They're the canine equivalent of a five-star meal.
Tailoring Treats to Training
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of selection. Remember, my dear Treat Dispenser, every dog is unique - what works for a German Shepherd might not cut it for a pug. We all have different tastes, different motivations, and possibly some dog-specific dietary restrictions. Body size, of course, plays a role too! So you might have to trial quite a few things to find the perfect treats for your little zoomer.
Treats that might be high-value for one dog to the point of tap dancing faster than the latest TikTok sensation, might hold absolutely zero appeal to another. Also keep in mind that us pups can get bored of treats if overused, so it is a clever approach to cycle through treats before they lose value.
And remember, you don’t need to give big pieces (think the size of a fingernail or smaller in most cases…yes, even for bigger dogs!)). Depending on your pooch, some might even be such high-value that just licking from your balled up fist is good enough.
Pro Tip: Change the amount or type of treat based on how difficult the task is so they really have to earn the good stuff (just don’t tell your little treat recipient this tip came from me!!!).
So, without further ado, here’s the delectable list (but feel free to try even more yummy stuff!!!):
Chicken! Dehydrated, roasted, boiled… Chicken bits! (simple but oh-so-effective, and my personal favourite!)
Cheese (a close second!)
Sliced Ham
Scrambled eggs
Skirt steak
Lamb and sweet potato wet food
Roasted pork
Salmon jerky
Dehydrated pork
Dental chews
Turkey breast
Crunchy beef sticks
Frozen blueberries
Various crunchy biscuits (these are low value unless he gets the full thing)
Freeze-dried shrimp, salmon, minnows etc (for fishy goodness)
Freeze dried beef heart or liver
Lamb liver treats
Dehydrated tripe (if you can stomach it; we can)
Beef jerky
Tuna and cheese baked treats
Peanut butter (keep in a squeeze bottle)
Banana
Oat baked treats
Kibble (yes, their regular food can be a treat!)
Green beans, red capsicum sticks, carrot sticks etc for the veggie-loving pooch (yes, they do exist… so I’m told)
Small pieces of turkey hot dog
String cheese or Mozzarella (because, again, cheese!)
…you get the picture!
For the Easily Distracted Pup
High-value treats are your secret weapon. That piece of chicken will be far more interesting than whatever else happens to cross your path.
For the Food-Motivated Mutt
Mix it up! Use a variety of treats to keep them guessing and engaged. One minute it's a piece of carrot, the next it's a bit of liver - keep 'em on their paws!
For the Sensitive-Stomached Pooch
Stick to single-ingredient treats or even use their regular kibble. No need for tummy troubles in the name of training.
Remember, treats are tools, not meals. Use them wisely, and soon you'll have a doglet who sits, stays, and comes on command - all while maintaining a healthy figure.
Training your pup can be a deliciously fun journey with the right treats in your arsenal. Remember, it’s all about fair rewards for effort, bite-sized pieces, healthy options, variety, and balance. With these tips, your pup will be a training triumph in no time, happy and ready for more.
So, keep those treat jars full! Nosing out for now!
Truffle 🐾
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Hi there, I’m Truffle (aka Truffbear, Truffito, Truffkin, Trufflenose, Baron von Truffy … and a million more. What can I say, my human loves me). I’ve been called a philosopher of sorts, with a keen nose for treats (did someone say chicken?) and a knack for solving the perplexing intricacies of canine-human relations.
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