TRAINING AND FINDING THE BEST REWARD TREATS

Positive reinforcement has many benefits when training your dog. It allows you to communicate with your dog by rewarding the behaviors you like. When you reward your dog for doing the things you want him to do, he is more likely to repeat those behaviors. There are many ways to reward your dog; you can use natural dog treats, praises or life rewards like going for walks or car rides.  Most dogs are very food driven and will do anything for a meaty treat during training sessions. Dog treats are often the most convenient and effective way to encourage good behavior.  But it can also be challenging to find the right kind of treat for your dog.

Treats are the best thing to use when you are just starting out. The treat should be quite small so that it’s a quick reward and not overly filling for your dog. Moist treats tend to be the best because dry ones can make your dog thirsty and will take much longer to eat.

There is also a difference in the value of dog treats, which means that there are treats that your dog likes, some he loves, some he will ignore and others he would flip over the moon for. Use different varieties of treats and values to get to know your dog and to keep your dog interested in training. You can use lower value treats at home on commands that your dog already understand. You can use higher value treats for brand new commands or in situations where there are a lot of distractions.

Here are some tips for choosing the right treat and for the right situation.

Keep it small

You need to choose a dog treat that your dog can eat quickly in order to give your dog lots of treats in a short period of time. It might feel like you’re cheating your dog, but even for large dogs, a pea-sized treat is plenty as long as he’s getting something he loves.  It also means your dog won’t get full before the session is over and will remain interested to get the treats.

Soft treats

Soft treats are easier and faster for your dog to eat, and it won’t make your dog thirsty right away. Soft treats tend to not be odor free. If you are in a distracting environment or teaching your dog a brand new command, you might want to pull out that stinky treats your dog adores to get his full attention.

Change variety
Some dogs can get bored with the same old treat so it’s better to have varieties of dog treats. If you notice your dog’s enthusiasm is fading, then it’s time to change to a different reward.  You can also use different treats during a session.

Treat Bag

Having food available in your pockets or treat bag at all times will allow you to provide an immediate reward. In these cases, look for nonperishable treats that you can carry around.

Time-Consuming Treats

You should use slow-eating treats if you are training your dog to love his crate. Look for chewy treats like bully sticks that your dog can savor for a longer period of time, it will help him pass the time and encourage him to rest quietly.

Training your dog requires time, patience, dedication and rewards. What is a really good reward for your dog? A good reward for your dog or any dog is something that he values, and one that is convenient and quick for you to deliver. So it is very important to invest more time to get to know your precious dog.