Some dog owners are unsure about the benefits of using treats when training a dog. 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 appreciates a "good boy" or "good boy," but that's not a real reward. When dogs are rewarded for good behavior, they're more likely to learn quickly and have a great time.
– Reasons to Use Training Treats
When trying to train your dog, don't use treats as a form of punishment or bribery. Just as your salary should be treated, so should treats. Even if you love your job and your employer, you won't show up if you don't get paid.
They say dogs work for their food. You can use them to keep your dog enthusiastic about participating in training sessions.
– Use dog treats to entice
Dog treats can be used to bribe your dog to perform a specific action. Start by rewarding your dog for good behavior, such as sitting. Hold the treat close to your dog's nose and then slowly bring the treat back over their head.
Most dogs will follow the treat by poking their noses up, which causes their bottoms to drop. Besides 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 for doing something right. You should reward your dog immediately after he sits if you've lured him into that position. For all behaviors, you should reward your dog quickly so he can associate his actions with a reward.
Rewarding your dog with a treat can encourage him to repeat actions he appreciates, such as lying quietly on the floor during dinner or sitting when guests arrive.
– 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 use kibble. Ideal for teaching tricks during breakfast or dinner.
You may need to increase the temptation of the treat if your dog no longer responds to it. Cooked pieces of chicken, cheese, sausage, or liver are all good daily training treats for dogs.
- Troubleshooting
Your dog can gain weight, especially if you're in a very intensive training phase and giving them lots of treats. If your dog is overweight, they're at risk for various health problems. Therefore, you should adjust their usual feeding schedule to account for any treats they've had throughout 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 you near a treat jar, they may sense that a reward awaits them if they do what you ask.
– 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.
Treats for dog training should not exceed 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake. Using your dog's regular food as a reward is an excellent way to prevent weight gain. You can also train your dog more effectively by using their regular food instead of a different type of food.
– Reduce or eliminate the use of treats
With every step your dog takes in their training, it's 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 treats on hand!
When your puppy consistently performs a behavior 90 percent of the time in the presence of minor distractions, you can start reducing the number of treats he receives. Using treats correctly can make visits to the vet or groomer more effective. But if you don't handle them properly, your dog will find it difficult to change his behavior. While food is a powerful tool in encouraging our dogs, we must be careful not to bribe them. Therefore, 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, like 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 right away.
Non-perishable snacks like freeze-dried liver or beef in small pieces are ideal for eating on the go.
– Enjoying 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 them 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 chews for dogs.
Alternatively, you can use stuffed dog toys. If you're looking for a time-consuming treat, try stuffing a Kong with cream cheese or peanut butter. You can also close the end, fill it with broth, and freeze it for a quick snack on a hot summer day.
