Training Treats

[muggsmom]

What does everyone use for training treats. Muggs is fussy, doesn't like crunchy treats. I've been using cut up weiners, but he seems to get bored with them after 5 or 6 treats. The only other thing that seems to motivate him is cheese, but it's very messy to work with. He is not motivated by toys, balls, praise. Any suggestions?

[Rivsky]

I too have a fussy one that doesn't like crunchy treats at all.

I've been mixing it up with those cuts from the deli section of the supermarket - a bit of roast turkey, roast chicken, occasionally roast beef and pork. When we have left over roast or bbq chicken he gets that too. He does have hot dogs occasionally but I find they give him the runs so don't use them too often.

I like to mix it up a bit even on the same day so he never knows exactly what he's going to get just to make it a bit more interesting from his perspective.

Last night he really hit the jackpot though he got some left over prawns thrown into the treat bag - boy was he loving it - and he worked soooo well too!!

[Flutterby]

Hot dogs have a high fat and sodium content, so I wouldn't use those too often. Little bits of boiled chicken would be good. Rolled dog food cut into tiny pieces is what I used for some of my dogs. They loved it, and I knew it was a healthy treat for them. I think I used Natural Balance, but I can't remember now. It was something like that, at least. You can pick it up at most pet stores, in various sizes and varieties. Also, fresh (or frozen) green bean cut up into pieces (or other vegetables your dog likes). Low fat, healthy, and a fun treat!

Lanie
And The Zoo
Royal Star Estates
freewebs.com/royalstarestates

[Flutterby]

Oh PS - for cheese, try small pieces of string cheese. Though I wouldn't use it often, probably has a fairly high sodium content, unless you could find a healthier type.

Lanie
And The Zoo
Royal Star Estates
freewebs.com/royalstarestates

[Swiftwind]

Sorry, I can't help you on the non-crunchy treats. When I'm training either of my dogs, I use the dry food from their bowls. I think it's quite funny, cause they could easily go over to their bowls and get food, but they actually give me all their attention and don't seem to think the food is plain-old-boring food that's on offer to them all the time!

For Harley, we have to watch his weight. Sometimes I use carrot slices (which he absolutely loves). Abby's very fussy though, she'll only take dog food or cheese.