Ensuring that our canine companions follow our commands is a shared desire. Dog training plays a vital role in their intellectual growth, proficiency, and etiquette in addition to it being a crucial component of their safety. Untrained dogs may act disruptively and may not comply with their owner’s instructions in situations that pose risks. To guarantee successful dog training, employing training treats is among the most effective methods.
Having the proper training treats is crucial in keeping dogs motivated and attentive during tasks. These treats act as a form of positive reinforcement and reward for good behavior, aiding in the retention of training in dogs’ minds. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you have the correct type of treats available.
What To Look For in Dog Training Treats
Treats have multiple functions in training, such as serving as enticements, incentives, and prizes. Insufficiently suitable treats can result in dogs becoming disinterested in training and lacking the motivation to improve or focus. Conversely, when provided with appropriate treats, canines become engaged in the training and will comply with instructions in order to obtain their reward.
Apart from the variety of food options available, there are other factors to consider when selecting a treat for canine instruction.
Your Dog Must Like It
If a dog dislikes a treat, it is ineffective for training. Though it may be apparent, owners or trainers may mistakenly select a treat that does not appeal to their dog. Observe the dog’s reactions and preferences when offering treats. Experts often recommend cooked, dehydrated, or dried meat as dogs typically enjoy them.
Dogs may find cheese appealing as well. A cost-effective and convenient option would be string cheese as it is conveniently wrapped and can be effortlessly divided into smaller portions. Cheese with a stronger aroma like Swiss is also a favorable choice. It is crucial that the treats are healthy and do not include allergens as they will be consumed frequently during training. It is important to provide your furry friend with nutritious and first-rate foods.
Training Treats Should Be Smaller in Size
To ensure that you can frequently reward good behavior and obedience throughout training, it is important to choose training treats that are small in size. Giving a large treat every time your dog exhibits a desired behavior would be too much. Therefore, opt for treats that are about the size of a pencil eraser.
Training rewards generally have a small presentation; however, if you choose to utilize human food, ensure that it can be easily divided into tiny bits. If a treat can’t be segmented or sliced to fit (such as tough jerky or dog biscuits), it may not be the appropriate type of reward for training.
Only Use Training Treats for Training
The responses to the question, “Do you give treats outside of training sessions?” differ among trainers. Dorien Vogelaar typically only provides treats during training, but acknowledges that training takes place frequently throughout the day, such as during walks and when calling the dogs. Melinda King saves training treats specifically for training, but spoils her dogs with chewy snacks randomly. Meanwhile, Dee Green limits treats to only training sessions.
Dorien and other trainers emphasize that training can be done at any moment. Amy Bradley intermittently gives incentives for good conduct at home, while Michelle Barga stated that she provides rewards throughout the day, not just during scheduled training sessions. As a matter of fact, we’re constantly training our dogs, aren’t we?
Be Cautious of Calorie Intake & Limit Treats
According to several nutritional experts, treats should not make up more than 10% of the daily calorie intake. To illustrate, if a dog consumes 500 calories daily, the total calorie intake from treats and any other extras should not surpass 50.
The majority of trainers take this factor into consideration and consider it when giving treats during training. This is made easier by the small size of the training rewards and the type of treat used. Some trainers limit treats on days when multiple are given, which could result in a slightly smaller next meal. Alternatively, some trainers substitute a portion of the dog’s meal as a treat during training.
It is emphasized by some trainers, such as Hope Schmeling, that excessive treats may lead to an unsettled stomach, thus it is crucial to keep a check on the amount of treats given.
Understand When To Use Treats and When NOT To
Maryna Ozuna has discovered that some dogs become too aroused by strong-smelling treats and are unable to control their excitement. As a result, she has switched to providing a measured amount of their regular food during training sessions, which has resulted in better focus in just a few days. This approach has led Ozuna to conclude that using smaller amounts is more effective than using treats excessively.
Interestingly enough, several trainers say they use kibble, cat food, or Cheerios as training treats (rather than meat, cheese, or other more enticing treats) for similar reasons. Some dogs are too excited by high-value treats, but with kibble, cat food, or Cheerios, the dogs will cooperate with the training without losing their minds.
Don’t Forget About Other Rewards
During discussions with trainers, the notion that this article concerns treats was emphasized, however, some of them highlighted the significance of acknowledging other forms of rewards. According to Dianne Kuhl, “Although some dogs may be strongly motivated by food, it’s crucial to remember that incentives could also include spending quality time with a unique toy, commendation, or collaborating with their beloved human.”
Train Your Dog Right With The Honest Kitchen’s Treats
In the process of training a dog, training treats hold significant importance. If such treats are not readily available, your dog’s learning potential might not be fully realized. It is crucial to have wholesome and organic treats that your dog loves and do not contain any artificial additives or preservatives. Breaking treats into small portions is also recommended to prevent overconsumption.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Dog training can be categorized into two main levels. The first level involves skills training and basic manners such as teaching your dog to sit, stay, and lie down. This type of training is typically carried out by a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog exhibits behavioral problems like anxiety, fearfulness, or aggressiveness, you will require the services of a dog behavioral consultant like Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require both behavior training and skills training, it’s advisable to begin with the more intricate one which is behavior training. Although a dog trainer can teach your dog how to sit, a dog behavior consultant is more knowledgeable in aiding your furry friend to cope with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
As Fratt points out, not all dogs will take pleasure in going to the dog park, just as not all humans will enjoy attending raves.
The Dog Door Behavior Center is owned by Kim Brophey, who is an applied ethologist and a family dog mediator. She has authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior”. Brophey’s explanation of dog behavior is based on the L.E.G.S framework, which stands for learning, environment, genetics, and self. For instance, if your dog barks at your guests.
According to Brophey, this breed of dog could have been chosen over numerous years to protect against intruders entering your house. As a result of their innate instinct to safeguard their space, attempting to eliminate a German shepherd’s natural urge to protect may be futile, and hence, it may be necessary to alter your assumptions.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
Regarding training techniques, there exist several options such as group classes, individual instruction, board and train, day-long coaching, and self-directed training, among the most prevalent alternatives. Group classes are inexpensive but offer less individual attention. As stated by Fratt, board and train facilities are costly and involve more risk.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be influenced by your budget and the objectives you hope to achieve with your training. In the case where your dog is displaying aggressiveness towards another dog in your abode, it would not be beneficial to conduct the training outside of your home.
Keep in mind that your participation in your dog’s training is necessary, but it doesn’t have to consume a substantial amount of your time. According to Fratt, she dedicates roughly five minutes per day to training. Much of the assignments given by trainers are enjoyable and can be readily integrated into your daily routine.
To avoid spending a significant amount of cash on dog training, our specialists advise accessing free or inexpensive online resources.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together a collection of complimentary resources, while Fratt offers a set of lessons under the name Training Tuesday at no cost.
Understand the methodologies.
There is no regulation in the field of dog training, thus anyone who has a website, Instagram page, or storefront can assert themselves as a dog trainer. Consequently, there isn’t a conclusive guidebook regarding the techniques to apply when training a dog, which results in varying opinions among trainers. Nonetheless, trainers can be classified into two general categories.
One type of trainer is Fratt and they utilize positive reinforcement techniques. Such techniques involve providing a reward, such as a treat, to the dog when it displays good behavior, thereby encouraging them to continue doing so. Alternatively, a dog may be given a reward when they encounter something perceived to be frightening, to help them associate it with a positive experience.
Balanced trainers, such as Brianna Dick, employ positive reinforcement approaches while also being open to integrating corrective measures, such as e-collars, in their training methods.
According to Dick, E-collar training requires a collar that your dog wears and that you can control using a remote. It delivers a stimulus to your dog’s neck, such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray, as a correction when necessary. The use of E-collars is a controversial topic among dog trainers, particularly those that emit shock.
According to Dick, trainers who rely on e-collars for all dogs should be approached with caution. Such a method is too generic and unlikely to yield satisfactory outcomes. Finding a trainer who takes the time to understand your pet and how it fits into your life is preferable.
Find a good trainer.
A good starting point for finding positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your area is to consult lists created by different professional organizations. Numerous associations have compiled such lists, including:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
After that, conduct some interviews! Reach out to past clients. Determine which trainer you feel the most at ease with. Verify that they are able to clarify their methods of training.
Don’t rule out medication.
Altering your dog’s brain chemistry may seem daunting, but if your dog is suffering from fear, anxiety, panic, or aggression that cannot be remedied through training alone, it should be viewed as a medical issue that requires treatment.
According to Dr. Andrea Y. Tu, who is a behavior veterinarian and serves as the medical director at NYC Behavior Vets, treating a diabetic patient is similar to taking care of a dog with diabetes. With diabetes, dogs need insulin to balance their hormone levels, so withholding insulin would not be a suitable approach.
“At the end of the day, this is a chemical imbalance. And it needs to be treated.”
Have you attempted all possible solutions such as positive reinforcement, balanced training, changing trainers, or medication to help your dog? Nonetheless, your dog might still be unable to overcome its fear of your children or too anxious to relieve itself outdoors on a bustling city street. Unfortunately, you may have to consider the undesirable possibility that your home isn’t the ideal environment for your furry friend.
