Healthy and Enticing Treat ideas?

G

GillsGoneWild

Forums Regular
Does anyone have ideas on treats to offer during training. Dixie and I are taking obedience classes but sometimes she doesnt seem to be interested in the treats as much as she is with the other dogs in class. I dont feel like I have her full attention at times. The class offers peanut butter or pupperoni but I was hoping I could come up with something that would have her heeling and jumping in no time, thanks
 
I cut up Oscar Mayer's 98% fat free hot dogs (made w/ turkey). I like that they're low fat, but like any hot dog, they're high in sodium.

Another favorite high value treat for my dog is cheese. I buy string cheese or weight watchers cheese strips and break off little pieces.

Sometimes I use boiled chicken as well.
 
good idea, I tried the hotdog but I cut it in bites and the trainers thought she might acknowledge it if she could see and smell? I will try cheese and chicken, thanks
 
I use grated cheese in agility class and it works great. It took a while to hit upon a good treat for the purpose since my dog is a very slow chewer—she needs something to scarf up. Chicken is great also. We buy rotisserie chickens on a fairly regular basis and pick over the bones, so sometimes Buffy gets a bit of the leftovers.

I have heard those Hormel's salami also work. One option if you are worried about health is you can mix Cheerios, dog food, or whatever in with high-value treats in a bag. The dog gets intermittent reinforcement, they can smell/taste to really high-value stuff, and you can "jackpot" when they do something really important well. It's wise to also limit or reduce food when you have an agility or other class so you don't overfeed your dog on treats.

By the way, my dog often isn't quite settled in on the first class or two (and therefore doesn't perform quite as well) because she's not sure how to handle the new place. She usually picks up a little later in the session.

My one teacher used to feed frozen ravioli and my old dog Abby loved scrambled eggs. All dogs go crazy for different things. I think there are some dog treat recipes on the forum as well if you do a search.
 
If she is not eating treats when other dogs are in class, but normally does eat treats, she might too stressed to eat.

It is common for stressed dogs to refuse food. I have one dog, who will eat like a pig at home and beg for food, but when she is outside of the house, she will refuse food and water because she is nervous.

Just something else to consider.
 
I tried the lix-it stick, the dogs liked it but I felt like I was holding roll on deodorant. Lol...

I use mouth friendly bites, mini marshmallows are my current favorite. I brush their teeth.... Sometimes...
 
GillsGoneWild said:
Does anyone have ideas on treats to offer during training. Dixie and I are taking obedience classes but sometimes she doesnt seem to be interested in the treats as much as she is with the other dogs in class. I dont feel like I have her full attention at times. The class offers peanut butter or pupperoni but I was hoping I could come up with something that would have her heeling and jumping in no time, thanks
Click to expand...
mmmm, treats are reward not a bribe though:wink2:
 
I usually just take meats (chicken, beef, pork, lamb) and put them in the oven. When cooked, I blot them with kitchen towels to remove the juice (for easier handling) and cut into small pieces.

You may need to experiment a little to see what your dog likes. But you need to remember to reward her giving attention to you (looking at you), not just reward her for heeling or jumping, etc. If you reward the attention, you will get it more!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top