[Erin1979]

With my other dog, we always used hot dogs as a training treat. We would slice them up and microwave them until they were almost burnt so that they would not get gross in our treat pouch and smell really good. With our new addition, he is not a fan of hot dogs, so we want to try something different, small and easy to get to fast. So far I've been getting doggie turkey/beef jerky and tearing them into small pieces or slices of string cheese, which he is not a fan of either. We usually wait a few hours after he's had breakfast.
What have your dogs loved? He'll only get this certain treat during training, something he can look forward to.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

Every dog is different, but dehydrated lamb's lung generally works pretty well as a food reward. If the dog is tug motivated, I prefer this.

 

[Analogdog]

I, and many trainers around here, use Natural Balance 'sausages' cut up as treats. Higher value treats are dehydrated lambs lung, string cheese, and steak leftovers. Seriously, is there something your dog likes more than anything? Use it.

 

[Amaryllis]

If he's not food motivated, toys may work. Try a game of tug or throw a tennis ball once as a reward. Some dogs are motivated by petting, or even praise. It's rare to have a dog motivated more by praise than by treats or toys, but you may want to try it and see.

Other treats to try are cheese, steak, chicken, liver and peanut butter.

 

[Pawzk9]

I use string cheese, and bravo free dried treats (pricey), sometimes Zukes (a mini makes 4 treats) and I tend to advise a trail mix so the dog never knows what is coming next, but to be honest, my dogs would work for pocket lint. One thing I am adamant about is reading the bag for pre-made treats. If it doesn't say "Made in USA" or does say "Made in China" it's not going in MY dogs. And I try to stick to brands I know don't source ingredients from China. That rules out a whole lot of stuff.

 

[Pawzk9]

Another thing to consider: does he like treats in some situations and not others. Sometimes the problem is stress, not what food you are using.

 

[Muppet]

My last dog only liked biscuit-y, crunchy treats. As for unconventional treats, my dogs have also gone for Cheerios, frozen green beans and blueberries. Peanut butter treats?

How long have you had this dog? The first month or so I got my dogs, they didn't take treats... they later became total treat monsters

 

[Erin1979]

I've barely had him a week and so far he is not at all food motivated. I've tried many of the things suggested.
He's not even a fan of peanut butter and I have never had a dog that did not love peanut butter.
So far he is doing fine without a reward though, we have sit and settle down and almost have perfect recall, except when he is overly excited about someone or something, but it's not that difficult to get his attention back to me.
He loves to play fetch. He will only give me balls though, anything else he thinks is for tug o' war or catch me if you can. So usually about 10 minutes of training and then back to play time, which seems like a good enough reward.
Very well behaved and gentle when the kids. Never barks unless someone pulls up the driveway, but he will howl if he wants our attention and we are no where to be found.

 

[jiml]

is there something your dog likes more than anything? Use it.>>>>

Baked Goods LOL