What treats do you use?

1881 Views 22 Replies 19 Participants Last post by txcollies, May 18, 2009

MonicaBH

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2009

I started a novice obedience class with Clyde last night, and I don't think my treats are going to cut it for him. I have 2-3 different types on me at all times, and I try to mix it up some so he doesn't become dependent on one type of treats.

What do you guys use for treats? I was thinking maybe some all-beef hotdogs or cheese... things he doesn't get often.

Tell me your favorite recipes for homemade treats, too!

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Binkalette

· #2 · May 15, 2009

Zoey's favorites are the Zukes (mini) chicken flavor, and the Wellness Turkey and Salmon Jerkey.. She likes the Wellness Wellbars too but not as much as the jerky and zukes. I have tried several of my own home made recipes, all revolving around pumpkin as the main ingredient, this was my first one.. the one I use now I don't use any peanut butter, and I've been using either rice flour or oatmeal instead of regular flour. The last batch I made I put some fish oil into...

Entwine

· #3 · May 15, 2009

I use Natural Balance dog food rolls. http://naturalbalance.net/dogformulas/DFRolls.html

I cut them up into little pieces, freeze what I'm not going to use soon, and keep the bag I am using the fridge. I use the Lamb formula for Misty because she is a puppy and it's supposedly easier on her stomach than the beef.

ladyshadowhollyjc

· #4 · May 15, 2009

We use hotdogs and cheese. I think their favorite actual dog treat is the Wellness Pure Rewards. They go crazy over them, but they're kind of expensive, so they're considered a very special treat. The Zuke's are also well loved around here. They aren't as expensive as the Wellness, so they get them a lot. I like to use the mini's for training, they're a good size for both the paps and the aussie.

Equinox

· #5 · May 15, 2009

I also feed Natural Balance food rolls to my puppy (lamb flavored and frozen). He also gets Milkbones, and the occasional frozen liver for car rides and baths.

3212

· #6 · May 15, 2009

I third the Natural Balance rolls. You can cut them into tiny pieces so they last SO long and both Bridgette and Brody will pretty much do anything for them! They come in three or four different flavors. I'd always seen Lamb, Chicken and Beef, but I just got my hands on a Duck and Potato flavor which they seem to like more than all the others (and Bridgette has allergies so this is perfect for her).

They also get Old Mother Hubbards crunchy treats, but I don't like crunchies for training.

BentletheYentle

· #7 · May 15, 2009

Hot dogs are great. They're pretty cheap and you can cut them up nice and small so that the package lasts forever, plus Bentley loves them!

I usually buy a package and throw it in the freezer and then I can pull one out whenever I need it and just microwave it for a few seconds or use it frozen. Cheese and little bits of chicken or beef are also great treats for training classes...I make sure that Bentley only gets these treats when we're training so that they keep their value.

Lonewolfblue

· #8 · May 15, 2009

I just use cheap hot dogs and string cheese. I slice the hot dog lengthwise, roll it and slice it lengthwise again, then cut my slices, which gives me 4 small bits each slice. And I can vary the thickness as well, i like my bits to be pretty small. And if you want to add a little smell in it as well, I've cut up some pepperoni slices as well, and cut the slices into small pieces, then warm up in the microwave.

MonicaBH

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 15, 2009 (Edited)

Yeah, I decided to create my own treats tonight, and they seem to be a success. I made "liver brownies" tonight, and tomorrow I will make salmon/ricotta treats. These are my "high value" treats, which are only used for training, as well as turkey hot dogs.

The best part about making this stuff at home is the money I save. Holy moly! I spent $8.56 on ingredients tonight (although I do still have to buy a few things tomorrow for my salmon/ricotta treats), and have seven 2.5-2.8 oz bags of treats; usually, a 3 oz bag runs me $2.99 + tax.

I love this. Why didn't I think of it before?!

Keep your favorite training treats coming, please!!

A photo of my creation:

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hulkamaniac

· #10 · May 15, 2009

Lonewolfblue said:
I just use cheap hot dogs and string cheese. I slice the hot dog lengthwise, roll it and slice it lengthwise again, then cut my slices, which gives me 4 small bits each slice. And I can vary the thickness as well, i like my bits to be pretty small. And if you want to add a little smell in it as well, I've cut up some pepperoni slices as well, and cut the slices into small pieces, then warm up in the microwave.

I'm so going to do this with the hot dogs I use. I've been cutting them into slices and then quartering the slices, but your method sounds a whole lot easier.

Just remember with training treats there are two things that are important. 1. The treat should be able to be consumed quickly. This is why crunchy treats usually aren't the best. 2. The treat should be a high quality treat, but size doesn't matter. In another words, while you or I would be ticked off to just get one M&M instead of the whole bag, dogs don't care. A piece of a steak is just as good as an entire t-bone.

StardustInVegas

· #11 · May 16, 2009

I have been using Wellness Training treats, but Stardust doesn't seem to take it 100% of the time. When i started the obedience class, I got her treats that my trainer suggested, and it works 100% of the time...

Peanut Butter Captain Crunch.

She loves this stuff, and would not turn her nose up on it. It's dry, and a lot less messier than the others that I've seen. I carry around them in my fanny pack for training.

Liver Brownies sounds pretty good, but I've gotten two different training treats, and both of them Stardust would eat it only if she wants too. I use cooked chicken pre-packaged (stuff to use for sandwiches and the like), for potty training only.

rosemaryninja

· #12 · May 16, 2009

Some great suggestions here. I also wanted to throw in a vote for Grizzly Nutreats. Small, low-calorie, grain-free and VERY stinky.
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Grizzly-Salmon-NuTreats/117006.aspx

moluno

· #13 · May 16, 2009

I've always used hot dogs and string cheese. But one of these days I want to try out Zukes and the Natural Balance rolls.

RubyLove

· #14 · May 16, 2009

Ruby is not at all food motivated... it has been really hard to find something she will eat straight away. Mostly she will look like she really wants it, take it gently from my fingers and trot off to hide it somewhere... usually on the sofa, where I then sit on it

She goes back to them later sometimes, but I have never seen her look for one that I have moved, it is always if she finds them again by accident... kind of like "oooh whats this, i'll eat it" not "where's that food I hid, I want it now"

She does like freshly cooked ground beef, but she isn't so bothered about it if it has been refrigerated... even if I microwave it for her. I have a picky puppy.

I haven't tried peanut butter because I dont like the smell, but that is going to be my next option. Do you just give them a fingertip to lick?

She is very responsive to praise though. It just isn't enough to get her focus when we are out.

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rosemaryninja

· #15 · May 16, 2009

RubyLove said:
I haven't tried peanut butter because I dont like the smell, but that is going to be my next option. Do you just give them a fingertip to lick?

Yup...some people put it on the end of a wooden spoon to deliver it, it's easier for shorter dogs.

pattymac

· #16 · May 16, 2009

I recently discovered these treats The Loved Dog Treats by Delifresh Pet foods. They need to be refrigerated but Bayley just loves them, better than the Rollovers or Natural Balance rolls. They look like those mini sausages but they're very soft, so you can break off teeny little bits. I actually have to go get more today. They're all natural too, so no junk in them. I've tried other things but somehow in training, she only likes these with any gusto.

Kyllobernese

· #17 · May 17, 2009

I use cut up low fat weiners but also make some tuna treats. They are really easy, one can of tuna, one egg and one cup of flour. Sometimes you need to add a little water to mix it along with the liquid in the tuna can. Bake it at 350 degrees for twenty minutes. Cool and cut into little squares. I freeze them and just take some out on Agility night and they are thawed by the time the class starts.

Equinox

· #18 · May 17, 2009

I used to love peanut butter, to the point where I would sit on the couch, watch a movie, and have a jar of peanut butter on my lap (very healthy). Now, after cleaning out Trent's Kong and peanut butter smears on the carpet daily, I will never eat peanut butter again...

RubyLove

· #19 · May 17, 2009 (Edited)

Equinox said:
I used to love peanut butter, to the point where I would sit on the couch, watch a movie, and have a jar of peanut butter on my lap (very healthy)

I used to do that with nutella

Fun times lol

Well, I bought the peanut butter, she loves it. Perhaps a little too much, because now she just looks at it, or searches me for where I'm hiding it! But we will keep working at it.

Lil Red Express

· #20 · May 18, 2009

I buy Paul Newman's chicken flavored dog cookies and break them into small pieces. They are organic and don't contain sugar or any of those other crappy ingredients in them .

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