What Treats to Use for Dog Training: A Comprehensive Guide

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Posted Oct 7, 2024

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Treats for Halloween
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Choosing the right treats for dog training is crucial for a successful and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry friend.

Small, soft treats like chicken or liver are ideal for training puppies due to their tender mouths and short attention spans.

Using high-value treats like cheese or peanut butter can be effective for training dogs with strong food motivation.

Choosing Treats

Choosing treats for dog training requires a balance between what your dog wants and what's good for them. High-value treats like liver, cheese, and dried chicken hearts can be effective, but they need to be used in moderation to avoid harming your dog's health.

Dogs don't care how big the treats are, so you can successfully train with pea-sized pieces. This means one bag of treats can go a long way.

Store-bought training treats are a great all-around choice because they're usually small, soft, smelly, convenient, and hold their shape well. Most dogs find them appealing and will hold their interest in various training situations.

Store Bought a Great Choice

White and Black Halloween Treats On Round Plate
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Store-bought training treats are a great all-around choice. They tick every box - small, soft, smelly, convenient, and hold their shape well. Most dogs find them appealing enough to hold their interest in a variety of training situations.

These treats are perfect for practicing manners at home or training on the go. They're a great starting point if you're not sure what treats to choose.

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Factors to Consider

To choose the right treats for your dog, you need to find a balance between high-value treats and your dog's health.

High-value treats can be detrimental to your dog's fitness level if they're void of nutrition and loaded with calories and sugar.

Dogs don't care how big the treats are, so you can successfully train with treats cut into pea-sized pieces.

Higher-quality treats are more expensive, but they're worth it for your dog's health and well-being.

One bag of treats can go a long way if you use pea-sized pieces, making them a cost-effective option.

Types of Treats

Credit: youtube.com, The Best Homemade Dog Training Treats

High-value treats are especially important in distracting environments, such as training classes, where your dog's attention may be divided. Moist and flavorful treats tend to be more appealing to dogs compared to dry treats.

Choose treats that are soft and easy to chew, as they are easier for your dog to eat and tend to be smellier, helping to captivate their attention. Avoid biscuits or hard treats for training.

Ultimates jerky treats come in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to choose the perfect size for your dog's training needs.

Texture

Texture plays a significant role in the treat selection process.

Treats that are too crumbly can be a hassle to handle.

Sticky treats can be messy and may stick to your hands or training pouch, causing distractions during training sessions.

Opt for treats with a texture that is easy to handle and won't interfere with the flow of training.

High Value

High-value treats are essential for effective training, and it's no surprise why. The more valuable the treats, the better the training results.

Credit: youtube.com, High Value Dog Treats for Training (Understanding the best training treats for dogs!)

Every dog has a hierarchy of rewards, and most put smelly items like cheese or bacon at the top. This is where high-value treats come in - they're irresistible to dogs.

Moist and flavorful treats tend to be more appealing to dogs compared to dry treats. This is why high-value treats are often soft and stinky.

The hierarchy of rewards for dogs, from least to most valuable, typically looks like this: kibble, dry treats, and finally, high-value treats like cheese or bacon.

Shapes and Sizes

Shapes and sizes matter when it comes to treats. Soft treats are easier for your dog to eat, which means you won't have to stand around waiting while your dog chews.

The size of the treat plays a crucial role in training sessions. For larger dogs, treats should be cut into appropriate sizes that can be easily consumed without causing any discomfort.

Ultimates jerky treats come in various shapes and sizes, including sticks, strips, and bites. This versatility allows you to choose the perfect size for your dog's training needs.

Finding the right balance ensures that your dog can enjoy the treat quickly and stay focused on the training tasks at hand. Small treats are perfect for precise training, while larger rewards are great for bigger achievements.

For more insights, see: Dog Treat Training

Using Treats Effectively

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Using treats effectively is key to successful dog training. Treats should be highly interesting to your dog, and their value refers to how enticing they are.

To keep your dog motivated and interested, choose high-value treats, especially in distracting environments. Moist and flavorful treats tend to be more appealing to dogs. Consider your dog's preferences and choose treats that they find irresistible.

Treats should be of the right size for your dog's training needs, with larger dogs requiring larger treats and smaller dogs requiring bite-sized treats.

Size Matters

Size matters when it comes to treats, especially for larger dogs. Treats should be cut into appropriate sizes that can be easily consumed without causing any discomfort.

For smaller dogs, bite-sized treats are ideal to avoid overfeeding or losing interest during training. This is especially true for fast-eating dog training treats.

If your dog gobbles up their treat immediately, you can move to the next repetition right away, keeping them motivated and interested. This is a key factor in high rate of reinforcement training.

Finding the right balance between treat size and training sessions is crucial. You don't want to overwhelm your dog with too many treats, but you also want to keep them engaged.

How to Use During Sessions

Credit: youtube.com, How to Use Treats in Dog Training - Theory and Delivery of Treats for Puppies and Adult Dogs

Using treats effectively during training sessions requires a bit of planning and creativity. You'll want to use high-value treats that your dog finds irresistible, especially in distracting environments.

The size of the treat matters too. For larger dogs, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces to avoid discomfort, while smaller dogs require even smaller treats to stay focused.

Positive reinforcement training is a tried-and-true method that works because it rewards desired behavior. For food-motivated dogs, the easiest reward is usually a treat.

Punishment can lead to problematic behaviors, so it's best to avoid yelling or physical discipline. Instead, use rewards and positive reinforcement to teach your dog new skills.

To keep your dog motivated and engaged, use moist and flavorful treats that are more appealing than dry ones. Consider your dog's preferences and choose treats that they can't resist.

Finding the right balance between treat size and frequency is essential. Your dog should be able to enjoy the treat quickly and stay focused on the training tasks at hand.

In distracting environments, use high-value treats to keep your dog's attention. The more valuable the treats, the better the training results will be, especially for difficult behaviors.

Common Mistakes and Tips

Credit: youtube.com, The BIGGEST Mistakes People Make When Treat Training A Puppy

Following the steps and guidelines can help you succeed with training your dog using treats. However, Prichard and Reynolds warned about a few common mistakes people make.

Using the wrong size treats can be a mistake, as they can be hard for your dog to chew or swallow. You'll want to choose treats that are the right size for your dog's age and training level.

Prichard and Reynolds also mentioned that following the same steps and guidelines consistently is key to success with treat training.

Recommended read: Dog Training Steps

Dos and Don'ts

Using treats effectively is key to successful training. Positive reinforcement is the most effective and least risky way to train, so don't hold back on giving those treats.

Carrying a treat pouch for dog training can help ensure you always have some on hand. This way, you can reward your dog's good behavior as soon as it happens.

Treats contribute to your dog's daily caloric intake, so it's essential to watch how many you give. A single treat or a handful of treats presented all at once are the same to a dog.

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Hand Putting Dog Treats on Bowl
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If your dog has mastered something they've struggled with, it's okay to reward them a little extra. Multiple treats given one at a time make a bigger impact when the dog has done something especially well.

Don't worry about being too stingy with the treats; your dog won't notice the difference.

Making Too Big

Making treats too big can hinder your training session. Keeping treats pea-sized is a better approach, as it allows you to hold more in your hand.

This size also helps your dog gobble them up quickly, so they don't spend the entire training session chewing.

Preparation and Planning

Before you start training your dog, it's essential to prepare and plan for success. This involves understanding your dog's learning style and personality, as discussed in the "Understanding Your Dog's Learning Style" section.

To determine the best treats for your dog, consider their dietary needs and restrictions, such as allergies or sensitivities. For example, if your dog has a wheat allergy, you'll want to choose treats made from alternative ingredients.

Having a variety of treats on hand can help keep your dog engaged and motivated during training. In the "Choosing the Right Treats" section, we discussed the importance of using high-value treats to reinforce desired behaviors.

Pre-Preparation

Man in Long Sleeves and Brown Pants Putting Dog Treats on Bowl
Credit: pexels.com, Man in Long Sleeves and Brown Pants Putting Dog Treats on Bowl

Before you start your preparation journey, it's essential to take care of some pre-preparation tasks. Good treat etiquette starts before your first training session, so make sure to prepare your dog's treats in advance.

Having the right tools and materials is crucial for a successful training session. Pre-training dog treat preparation involves making a few key preparations, such as preparing your dog's treats.

The quality of your training session can be heavily influenced by the quality of your dog's treats. Good treat etiquette starts before your first training session, so make sure to prepare your dog's treats in advance.

It's also a good idea to have a clear plan in place for your training session. Pre-training dog treat preparation involves making a few key preparations, such as preparing your dog's treats.

Get a Bag

It's essential to store your dog's treats in a separate bag during training. This way, you can keep them within reach without drawing your dog's attention away from you.

Using the original packaging can be a problem because if the bag is out of sight, your dog might become distracted and focus on the bag instead of you.

Treat Ideas and Options

Credit: youtube.com, BEST Dog Training Treats: What PRO TRAINERS use to get RESULTS!

Using high-value treats during dog training can be a game-changer. Freeze-dried organ bits like liver, lamb, or beef lung are a great option.

They're packed with flavor and nutrients, making them irresistible to dogs. You can also try freeze-dried treats or meal toppers like Pure Bites or Vital Essentials.

Dried fish like sardines, sprat, or minnows are another option. They're a tasty and healthy snack that dogs love.

Soft foods in squeeze tubes like soft dog food or spray cheese can be a convenient and mess-free option. Dog food rolls like FreshPet or Redbarn are also a great choice.

Ultimates jerky treats come in a variety of flavors, including chicken, beef, lamb, and whitefish. These natural, smoky flavors are sure to entice your dog and keep them motivated during training.

Here are some high-value treat ideas:

  • Freeze-dried organ bits (e.g. liver, lamb, beef lung)
  • Freeze-dried treats or meal toppers (e.g. Pure Bites, Vital Essentials)
  • Dried fish (e.g. sardines, sprat, minnows)
  • Soft foods in squeeze tubes (e.g. soft dog food, spray cheese)
  • Dog food rolls (e.g. FreshPet, Redbarn)

Training and Obedience

Training with your dog requires patience and a positive approach. Research shows that dogs whose parents were playful and patient did better at learning new tasks.

Credit: youtube.com, What treats to use and why - Professional Dog Training

The key to successful training is using high-value treats that your dog enjoys. The more they enjoy the treat, the more likely they are to reproduce the desired behavior to get another treat. Focus on treats that are of high value to your dog, and avoid everyday fare.

A study published in the July 2011 issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that punishment was associated with an increased incidence of problematic behaviors. This means that yelling or physical discipline is not an effective or recommended training method.

Short Sessions

Training sessions don't have to be long, arduous events. In fact, Silverman suggests that you keep individual training sessions short and sweet.

You can give three or four treats during a two-minute session while teaching your dog a certain behavior.

Longer sessions can burn out your dog with too many treats. This is because your dog will fill up quickly and the treats won't be special to them anymore.

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Dog Training Exercises You Should Do EVERY DAY At Home!

If you give one treat at a time or a couple every once in a while, especially with smaller treats like Little-Jacs, those treats will continue to be special to your dog.

Limiting session length helps ensure your dog will end up wanting more, which motivates them for the next time you practice a behavior.

Obedience

Using high-value treats is key to successful obedience training. These treats should be something your dog loves and looks forward to receiving.

Punishment has been shown to increase the incidence of problematic behaviors in dogs. This is according to a study published by Cambridge University Press in 2004.

Research has found that food is far more effective than social interaction for training dogs. A March 2023 study supports this, highlighting the importance of using treats as rewards.

Dogs are individuals, and what works for one may not work for another. This is why it's essential to approach training with patience and a positive attitude.

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To correctly use treats for obedience training, reward your dog immediately after they exhibit the desired behavior and offer verbal praise. Consistency is key to reinforcing the behavior.

A study published in the July 2011 issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that dogs whose parents were playful and patient did better at learning new tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you give dogs treats when training?

Yes, giving dogs treats during training can be a great way to provide positive reinforcement. Choose from commercially produced treats or healthy whole foods to support a successful training process.

Sources

  1. jerky treats (amazon.com)
  2. Kong Easy Treat (amazon.com)
  3. minnows (cleanrun.com)
  4. Vital Essentials (cleanrun.com)
  5. Pure Bites (petco.com)
  6. chicken hearts (cleanrun.com)
  7. tripe (cleanrun.com)
  8. lamb or beef lung (cleanrun.com)
  9. freeze dried liver (cleanrun.com)
  10. How to Choose the Best Dog Training Treats - Ultimates (ultimatespetfood.com)
  11. Rebarkableopens in a new tab (rebarkable.com)
  12. treat pouch for dog trainingopens in a new tab (wildone.com)
  13. Professional Animal Trainer and TV Show Host Joel Silverman (joelsilverman.net)

Mildred Gusikowski

Senior Writer

Mildred Gusikowski is a versatile writer with a passion for exploring the intricacies of everyday life. Her articles often delve into the quirks and charms of the human experience, from the joys of dog ownership to the, ahem, fragrances associated with canine companionship. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Mildred has established herself as a go-to authority on a range of unexpected topics.

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