Why Treats Are the Way to Go

Some dog owners are not sure whether using treats while training a dog is a good idea. We can confirm that this is the 'right' way to reward your dog for good behavior. Especially in the beginning, you can't reward your puppy often enough. After all, a dog likes to hear a 'good boy' or 'good boy', but that is not a real reward. When dogs are rewarded for good behavior, they are more likely to learn quickly and have a great time.

– Reasons to Use Training Treats

When trying to train your dog, do not use treats as a form of punishment or bribery. In the same way that your paycheck should be treated; treats should be treated the same. Even if you love your job and your employer, if you are not getting paid, you will not show up.

They say that dogs work for the food they are given. You can use them to ensure that your dog remains enthusiastic about participating in training sessions.

– Use dog treats to entice

Dog treats can be used to bribe your dog to perform a certain action. Start by rewarding your dog for good behavior, such as sitting. Give your dog a treat close to his nose and then slowly bring the treat back over his head.

Most dogs will follow the treat by sticking their nose up, which will cause their bottom to drop. In addition to lying down and rolling over, luring is effective for several other tricks.

– Reward your dog with a treat

As a bonus, you can use dog treats to reward your dog when he does something right. You should reward your dog immediately after he sits if you have lured him into that position. For all behaviors, you should reward your dog quickly so that he can associate his actions with a reward.

Rewarding your dog with a treat can encourage him to repeat steps you appreciate, such as lying quietly on the floor during dinner or sitting when guests come over.

– Keep the treats small for your dog!

Every time you want to reward your dog for good behavior, don’t offer a handful of treats. Instead, reward your dog with the smallest treat. For most dogs, one treat is enough to satisfy their hunger. Instead of tasty treats, you can also just use kibble. Ideal for teaching tricks during breakfast or dinner.

You may need to increase the temptation of the treat if your dog stops responding to it. Cooked pieces of chicken, cheese, sausage or liver can be daily training treats for dogs.

– Troubleshooting

Your dog may gain weight, especially if you are in a very intensive training phase and give him a lot of rewards. If your dog is overweight, he is at risk of several health problems. Therefore, you should adjust his usual feeding schedule to take into account any treats he may have had during the day.

Treats during training sessions can encourage your dog to consume more calories than necessary. If your dog sees a treat in your hand or sees you near a treat jar, he may sense that a reward is in store for doing what you want him to do.

– Preventing obesity in dogs

Your dog's calorie intake should be carefully monitored when starting a training program, as dogs can gain weight quickly. Therefore, try using regular kibble or vegetables to train your dog.

Dog training treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. Using your dog’s regular food as a reward is a great way to prevent weight gain. You can also train your dog more effectively by using his regular food instead of a different type of food.

– Reduce or eliminate the use of treats

With each step your dog takes in his training, it is crucial to consider limiting the number of training treats. When it comes to rewarding your dog for good behavior, you don't always want to have snacks on hand!

Once your puppy is consistently performing a behavior 90 percent of the time in the presence of minor distractions, you can begin to reduce the number of treats he gets. When used properly, treats can make vet visits and grooming sessions go more smoothly. But when used improperly, your dog will have a hard time changing his behavior. While food is a powerful tool in encouraging our dogs, we must be careful not to bribe them. Find a way to reduce the number of treats you give them each session.

– Always a treat at hand

Treats can be used for spontaneous training, such as encouraging excellent behavior around the house, such as lying quietly on a dog bed. Keep a bag of dog treats or food in your pocket so you can give your dog a treat on the spot.

Non-perishable snacks such as freeze-dried liver or beef cut into small pieces are ideal for eating on the go.

– Enjoy slow eating

When it comes to sweets, the longer they last, the better. When you’re out and about, you can teach your dog to like a kennel or encourage him to sleep next to you while you watch TV. These are the ideal conditions for a long-lasting treat. Beef sticks, pork ribs or calf hooves are ideal long-lasting dog chews.

Alternatively, you can use stuffed dog toys. If you’re looking for a treat that won’t take up much time, you can stuff a Kong with cream cheese or peanut butter. You can also close the end and fill it with broth and freeze it for a quick snack on a hot summer day.