The ultimate goal for any canine companion is to be a well-behaved member of the family. But what is the best way to get a furry friend to listen no matter what is happening around them? Proper dog training of course!
Proper training can go a long way to ensuring that a pooch is a model of good behavior. Ask any certified professional dog trainer, and you’ll likely hear that positive reinforcement is the best method for training a dog. And we’re pretty sure that large and small dogs alike would agree that the best form of positive reinforcement is dog treats!
Dog treats are great for training. They are small and portable. They are smelly and delicious. And best of all, dogs love them. Providing your pup with a yummy treat is one of the best ways to make training fun!
What Makes the Best Dog Training Treats?
There are a few factors that go into making a dog treat that’s perfect for training. But what are they? To find the best treats, keep these things in mind:
Small Training Treats Are Better
When training, you’re going to be giving your furry friend lots and lots of positive recognition in the form of training treats. Small treats, or smaller pieces of a larger treat, that can be eaten quickly are a good idea. That way you can get your dog’s attention back on training quicker and can avoid giving them too many calories. This applies to large breed dogs and small ones too. The idea is to keep them motivated and focused with tiny treats!
Training Treats Should Be Super Portable
You won’t always be training your dog in a location where treats are easily accessible. Sometimes, the most challenging part of training is getting your dog to obey when you’re out and about. That’s why having a treat bag or treat pouch with you is a great idea. That way you can reinforce good behavior anywhere and at any time.
Choose Stinky Treats. The Smellier, the Better!
A dog’s nose knows. And that’s why most pet parents understand the importance of choosing strong smelling treats. Just think about how crazy your dog gets over peanut butter. It’s like drawing a moth to a flame. Choosing potent treats can help remind a dog that something yummy awaits if they pay attention and mind their trainer. A fragrant treat will also come in handy if you’re in an environment that has a lot of stimuli. That way your dog can focus on the treats, and training, better.
Training Treats Should Still Be Healthy & Nutritious
Just like any treat, dog training treats should be healthy and nutritious, especially since you’ll be giving your pup many treats in a relatively short amount of time. Low-calorie treats are a good idea too. So be sure to look at the packaging, so you’ll know exactly how many calories are in each treat. Just like your regular dog treats, the best dog training treats should consist of all-natural ingredients that are also easily digestible.
Just like humans, dogs can benefit greatly from routine exercise and good nutrition. That’s why giving a dog food and treats made with quality ingredients known for their nutrition makes a whole lot of sense!
How Many Dog Training Treats Can I Give My Dog a Day?
Training treats are no different from regular dog treats in that they should only be a small part of your dog’s overall daily diet. By design, you’ll be giving your canine companion more training treats than you would normal treats since they are designed to be used as positive training reinforcement. This is why it’s very important to keep your training treats small and to be aware of the treat’s calories and ingredients.
Whether you are training an adult dog or a puppy, the rule of thumb for treats is generally the same: treats should only comprise 10% of their daily caloric intake. As always, if you have questions about your specific dog, it’s best to speak with your trusted vet.
How Do You Use Dog Training Treats?
How do you know if you’re using dog treats correctly? How many training treats should you give? When should you be rewarding your pup with treats during their training session? And how can you wean them off the treats and still get the correct behavior? No need to worry. Here are our top tips for using treats for dog training.
Reward Finished Behaviors
Don’t be tempted to give your dog their treat in the middle of the behavior you’re asking them to complete. Whether they are in the middle of sitting or still moving during the command to “come,” giving them their treat mid-action can confuse them and reinforce the wrong behavior.
You also want to give your furry friend their reward while they are holding the position you want them to hold. Be wary of putting the treat too far in front of them when they are sitting or lying down, for example, because that will cause them to break the position and, again, can confuse them about what behavior is being reinforced.
Be Quick in Offering the Treat as a Reward
Dogs aren’t known for having the longest attention spans. To have the most impact, treats should be delivered within about three seconds of successfully completing the behavior. Any more and the dog may forget what they’re receiving the treat for and be confused.
Does your dog have food allergies? Read The Ultimate Guide to Hypoallergenic Dog Treats
Avoid Rewarding Bad Behavior
We can hear you asking yourself now: Why would I give treats for bad behavior? No pet parent wants to deliberately reward bad behavior, after all. However, sometimes we reward bad behavior when we think we’re reinforcing good behavior.
For example, you and your pup are walking in the park and they get off-leash. After running around after them, they finally return to your side. If you give them a treat when they return, you may accidentally reward your dog for running away, and not for coming back. Situations like this can get tricky though. So it’s always best to work with a certified professional dog trainer to get the best advice. They can likely help you with crate training, basic commands, leash behavior, and much more.
Use Other Positive Behavior Reinforcements
As effective as dog training treats are, they should not be the only positive reinforcements used during a training session. Treats are great to rely on at the beginning of training but, as you progress, it’s important to add in other rewards. Some ideas of rewards can include favorite toys, belly rubs, praise, or just a very enthusiastic “good doggy.”
The Best Dog Treats for Training: Our Personal Favorites
At Blue Ridge Naturals, we always pride ourselves on the quality of our treats because we’re dog lovers too! Here are some of our favorite treats, many of which work great for dog training, especially when broken into smaller pieces.
Peanut Butter Coated Sweet ‘Tater Bones
These combine our best-selling sweet potato bones with nearly every dog’s favorite condiment: peanut butter. These can be broken into smaller pieces for fast training or given whole to reinforce behavior when training is over.
These five-star rated training treats are the perfect size to reward your pup for a job well done. Throw a handful in your treat bag when you’re heading out for a walk and you’re ready to go. Your dog can enjoy a well-behaved walk, while you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they’re consuming all-natural ingredients.
Made with real, US-sourced meat without icky artificial ingredients, these high value treats are a winner. Break into smaller pieces for productive training sessions or give as is for a high value treat.
These soft treats are packed with rich nutrients like vitamin A, iron, vitamin C, fiber, and more. They can also be easily broken into smaller pieces. That way they can be enjoyed quickly but are delicious enough that your dog will enjoy every bite.
Perfect for pups of nearly all sizes, these chewy treats are all-natural and can be broken into smaller sizes for training sessions. And the smell is sure to entice your dog too!
Does your pup prefer fish flavors to meat? Our salmon jerky may be perfect for them! It’s made from all-natural Alaskan Salmon, known for its rich Omega 3 and Omega 6 content. This wheat and gluten-free treat is also great for pups that suffer from sensitive tummies
Peanut Butter Coated Sweet ‘Tater Stix
The tender, chewable texture of these stix makes them perfect for doggos of all ages. The softer texture also makes them perfect for breaking up into smaller training treats.
Chicken Breast & Sweet ‘Tater Fillets
These delicious and healthy treats are made with just a few simple ingredients. This makes for a great, nutritious training treat option.
Chicken Coated Sweet ‘Tater Stix
The ingredients of these chicken stix are both sourced and handcrafted in the USA. They’re great for dogs who prefer a delicious, meaty training treat.
A good dog training treat can make all the difference. If high quality is of great importance to you too, then be sure to check out our entire line of dog treats made with ingredients known for their nutrition. And happy training! Also, if you enjoyed this, read “How to Train Your Dog & Understanding Their Behavior”
