Dog Training Food: A Guide to Effective Treat Selection

Choosing the right treats for your dog's training is crucial for their success and your sanity. High-value treats like chicken or beef can be effective motivators, especially for dogs that are easily distracted.

Treats should be small and bite-sized to prevent overfeeding and maintain your dog's focus.

For dogs with food allergies, consider using treats made from novel protein sources like venison or fish.

For more insights, see: No Treat Dog Training

High-value treats are essential for successful dog training. They're typically moist or freeze-dried, and super smelly.

To make your dog's training sessions even more effective, use high-value treats that are low in frequency. This means giving them only during training sessions, and not as a regular snack.

Freeze-dried liver is a great example of a high-value treat. It's something your dog doesn't get often, and it's perfect for rewarding good behavior.

High-value treats like tiny pieces of chicken or peanut butter (make sure it's xylitol-free) smeared on a spoon are also great options. They're extra special and will make your dog go wild for them.

These treats are like an "A+++" for your dog's behavior and training. They're the ultimate reward for a job well done.

Consider reading: Is High Protein Dog Food Good for Dogs

Medium-value dog treats are usually semi-moist or dry and are given more frequently during training sessions and in everyday routines.

These treats are made from ingredients that your dog doesn't get in their regular food, making them a great option for regular use.

Low-value treats, on the other hand, are dry and crunchy, and are often lower in calories than high and medium value treats.

Using your dog's regular food as a low-value treat option is a common practice, and it's helpful in fading out treats in training.

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Medium-value dog treats are usually semi-moist or dry, made from ingredients not found in regular dog food. They're meant to be given more frequently than high-value treats, especially during training sessions and everyday routines.

These treats are a good option for everyday rewards, as they're not too rich or overpowering. They can be used to keep your dog engaged and motivated without overfeeding them.

Medium-value treats are often used in place of high-value treats, but not as a replacement for regular meals. They're a way to mix things up and keep your dog interested in their food.

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Low-value treats are great to work into your training because they tend to be lower calorie than high and medium value dog treats.

Low-value treats are usually dry and crunchy.

Using your dog's regular food as a low-value treat option is a common practice among trainers and their clients.

Having a low-value treat option is important in helping you fade out treats in training.

Soft dog treats are great for training because they're easier and faster for your dog to eat compared to crunchy ones.

Using soft treats during a training session can save you time and keep you focused on teaching.

Soft treats are also smellier, which can be a major plus for most dogs who put smelly items like cheese or bacon at the top of their reward hierarchy.

Crunchy treats like biscuits can be fine for one-off rewards, but they might not be the best choice for a training session.

Kibble can work as a reward in quiet locations, but it's not as effective in more distracting areas.

To keep your dog engaged and motivated during training, consider their eating habits. A high rate of reinforcement is key, so choose treats that can be eaten quickly. This allows you to move on to the next repetition and keep your dog interested.

If your dog gobbles up their treat immediately, you can move on to the next repetition right away. But if they spend several seconds eating each treat, you'll either have to increase the length of your training session or practice fewer repetitions per session.

You can also use slow-eating treats to help your dog relax or pass the time. Bully sticks, stuffed Kongs, and frozen broth-filled toys are great options. These treats can last as long as possible, keeping your dog occupied and calm.

To determine the best treats for your dog, try a taste test. Choose a variety of treats based on protein type, texture, and ease of delivery. This will help you understand what your dog likes and dislikes.

To help your dog pick out the training treats they'll most enjoy, try a treat taste test. This is a fun and easy way to figure out what types of treats your dog likes best.

First, pick out a variety of protein types, including fish, poultry, beef, pork, lamb, and non-meat-based treats like peanut butter. This will give your dog a chance to try different flavors and textures.

Next, choose treats with different textures, such as dry, semi-moist, jerky, freeze-dried, or wet. This will help you understand what types of treats your dog prefers.

When selecting treats, make sure they're easy to deliver during training sessions. Opt for treats that are pea-sized or smaller, and can be easily broken into smaller pieces if necessary.

If you're having trouble finding the right treats, many pet supply stores will give you free samples to try. This is how I often discover new brands to mix into my training treat rotation.

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Here are some protein types to consider for your treat taste test:

By rotating through different treats and observing your dog's reactions, you'll be able to identify their high-value, medium-value, and low-value treats. This will make training sessions more effective and fun for both you and your dog.