How many treats? (and what kind)

[petertdavis]

I have a three month old collie. I've read some conflicting advice regarding training and feeding. To train the pup, I understand it's common to use treats. However, I also see advice on strictly controlling a pups diet, or we'll end up with diarrhea type poops or worse.

Also, what kind of treats? Our local pet store seems to have an entire aisle dedicated just to doggy treats. I see some people suggesting cheese. Or should we simply use bits of his regular food?

 

[Melissa_W]

Using his regular food probably won't work so well. It's not a very high value treat. You can use cheese, bits of chicken, hot dog... basically whatever your dog likes. Skye really goes nuts over the Bil-Jac Liver Treats as well.

Skye is free fed, so maybe someone else will have better advice about portion control. But of course, if he starts getting a little tubby, you know you need to cut back.

 

[Roxy's CD]

I use Whiskas Temptations cat treats. My trainer's husband works for the company and the meaty flavours are just fine for dogs. (I use chicken, turkey and beef)

There great because most dogs *love* them and they are small, so you can feed them a lot and you don't have to break them up.

Another good one is Benny Bull's frozen liver treats. They're really easy to break up and once again their a high value treat.

 

[elegy]

anything your dog likes that can be broken into small pieces is good to use as reward. you don't want to use big treats; you don't need to use big treats. small treats are just as effective as a reward, plus you don't fill your dog up, make him fat, or risk the diarrhea issue as much.

the stuff i use most often is cheese, hot dogs (cut into sixths the long way and then sliced), cheerios, and tuna fish.

 

[sam]

My fav is Natural Balance roll. You can cut it into tiny peices for training, it's very high value to most dogs, it's not too smelly or wet to out in your pocket and it's healthy.
I also like to use homemade liver treats, cheese, lower fat weiners, Zuke's minis, liver biscotti - if a treat is novel it's even more high value.

 

[RetrieverLove]

Personally, I think you should try your normal dog food for a treat, and if that isn't enticing enough than you could try other stuff. My dog Emma will readily take some kibble as a treat. (Then again she is a Retriever...they're notorious for their eating habits). She'll also happily accept a fruit, bits of carrot, and other healthy things. But if you don't think your dog will go for that then you have many options. Virtually anything that can be broken up small enough can be used as a training treat. When they have lots of treats cut down their food portion for the night.

 

[lkeffect]

I often times give cheerios, very small hotdog pieces, ice cubes, carrots, and occasionally their dog food pieces.

 

[GSDlover_4ever]

My fav is Natural Balance roll. You can cut it into tiny peices for training, it's very high value to most dogs, it's not too smelly or wet to out in your pocket and it's healthy.
I also like to use homemade liver treats, cheese, lower fat weiners, Zuke's minis, liver biscotti - if a treat is novel it's even more high value.

Me too!!! And the best part is, is that it is complete dog food. I still feed them meals but not as much as if I was to use hot dogs or puperoni (sp), because it would not consitude as part of their meal.