Best treats for obedience training?

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by Red Leg on 29 September 2009 - 02:09

Sorry for the newbie question, but whats the best treats for obedience training? Something store bought? Cheese? Hot Dogs?

by sueincc on 29 September 2009 - 03:09

I make bait by nuking boneless skinless chicken breast to death until it's dry as jerky, then shred it into bits, cram it in a baggie and toss it in the freezer. I grab a handful and stick it in my pocket as I go out the door. I use hotdogs when I'm too lazy or forget to make bait. If you live in an area where you can buy FROZEN Bil Jac, dogs go nuts for that stuff, it's doggie crack, plus it's soft so you can make it whatever size you want your bait to be.

by Phil Behun on 29 September 2009 - 03:09

The best treats are the ones that your dog likes best. Could be ground up roofing nails if he/she likes them. Try several different types and see which ones they go ape s#@t over. Try and avoid kibble as it is dry and takes time to chew. Choose something small that doesn't clump together in your hand, pouch or bait pocket.

by dAWgESOME on 29 September 2009 - 03:09

What ever your dog LOOOOOOOOOOves to eat. Hot dogs, cheese, sasuage, liver, Zukes, Natural Balence what ever

Then cut in to small bits-

Think of your dog as Pac Man (or Ms. Pac Man) and your food treats as the Pac man pellets.

You want to be able to disburse the item and have it consumed as effortlessly as possible as not to distract from the action taking place.

Personaly I'm luckly I don't have finicky eaters so I get to choose a food that is cost effective, not to greasy or unheathly and won't fall apart in my pocket, vest or pouch.

Good luck & happy training : )

by Liesjers on 29 September 2009 - 03:09

I use Natural Balance food roll (sliced and diced), Zuke's Minis (cut in half), or venison. We have an unending supply of venison so I cooke the "stew" pieces (stuff that's not really yummy for humans by itself) in a frying pan, let it dry out a bit, and dice it up. This is what I'm using for tracking bait. Venison is not greasy and I don't like using dry, crunchy kibble. I used to nuke hot dog bits for like 6 minutes and then absorb the grease with paper towel and was left with some jerky-like bits but that was too much work.

by Red Leg on 29 September 2009 - 03:09

Once again the forums come through, Thanks for the suggestions. You guys are great!!

by elisabeth00117 on 29 September 2009 - 04:09

I use boiled chicken pieces (cut really small), cheese chuncks (again, cut really small) and homemade liver cake for my puppy and dogs.

by ilovemypoodlefluffy on 29 September 2009 - 05:09

my girls love pup-peroni. it comes in big pieces with dents in them so they are easily broken up into little pieces. sometime i forget them in pockets and even when they are dry they still smell good and the dogs just love them. if i take that bag out, spunky starts rolling over before i can get the words out of my mouth and fluffy starts prancing around on her hind legs, bouncing like crazy. if i run out of pup-peroni i use string cheese and they love that too. fluffy would probably work even harder for cat poop though, crazy dog. lol.

by Bucko on 29 September 2009 - 05:09

People have given great advice.

A few extras:

1) It has to have enough moisture to be chewed and swallowed over and over without needing lots of water breaks -- so nothing dry (biscuit like).

2) It has to be nutritious, as your dog may earn up to 1/3 of his daily rations in training at some point. More if he is tracking, too.

3) It has to be easy to handle and reward without you losing a finger!

4) If you want to be VERY competitive in Obedience, it is easier to get your dogs attention on your face IF THE TREAT IS IN YOUR MOUTH AND YOU LEARN TO SPIT IT OUT WHEN HE EARNS IT. This means it has to be something you are willing to have in your mouth, obviously.

If you eat meat, sliced pepperoni or thin slices of cooked hot dog make a lot of sense. If not, cheese can work, but not in great volume.

Small chunks of boiled or broiled chicken is very good.

good luck!

by happyday on 29 September 2009 - 10:09

I have found that it can be very expensive using training treats that are prepackaged. That Bil Jack Treat is 5.00 + for 10 oz. .. I can buy calf liver for around 2.00 for a pound.

It is true you have to find something that your dog get's excited about. But I reward alot with treat in my training and it has to be cost affective as well.

I really like the liver - I put it in a hot skillet - brown on both sides - til the blood is not coming out so much - let it cool and cut it in to small chunks that dogs can swallow with out chewing...They don't seem to hack like the do on some treats -and it does't turn to mush in your pocket-- -One of mine I use medium sharp cheese - but not to often - cost to much to train 3 dogs with and in hot weather - doesn't last to long.

I have a dehydrator and I had a couple of deer that I cut up and dried- and my girl really loves it. Cut it into penny size pieces. But my male - I don't give him that cause he seems to want to choke on it when training...go figure -

Basic what I am saying is use what ever that works and you can afford - heck I have heard of a dog working for pecans....

I can spit my gum out the window - but I just can't get the hang of spitting my treat into my dog's mouth...

Have fun training.

Happyday

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