Choosing Treats

[Amber]

After getting grossed out by an article that Sheena shared about the disgusting, unhealthy ingredients in dog treats (click), I have been doing some research on dog treats and ingredients.  I looked up a lot of the ingredient information on Dog Food Advisor, then went looking for treats.

What do you look for or avoid when looking for treats?

[Cera]

My tip is very small treat sizes. In purchasing out of the box treats I like zukes. For a substantial cookie for an allergy sensitive dog I like wet nose dog treats. I've been able to find them for nice prices at times. For a high value but messy treat, natural balance treat rolls.

Most treats given are small portions of string cheese, sliced and then dehydrated hot dogs, pieces of raw veggies (carrots and broccoli were wins) and kibble. Oh and peanut butter in a hollow bone or kong. I just don't have much of a treat budget, and its frankly overwhelming and not all that necessary... at least for Hope who would eat anything.

[Sheenar]

Because of Leon's allergies, and the difficulty in finding treats in the pet store chains that he can eat, I plan to start baking my own training treats once we start getting low on the special ones from his vet (they're pricey!)

[Magesteff]

You also might want to try asparagus. Both Max and the cats enjoyed the frozen spears I made for them on CHristmas eve for their breakfast.

Max didn't particularly like Sweet Potato Treats, but gave them to my friend, her parents have two dogs that loved them.

[sunshineone]

I know it sounds bad but my dogs will do anything for a mini marshmallow. I dehydrate hotdog pieces in the microwave and pick up the small natures balance rolls when they are on sale and chop them up small. Apple pieces are a big hit here as well as cheese its. I do mix all that with regular dry dog food because somehow giving dog food out your hand tastes much better than out of a bowl.

[Cath]

I had to stop using commercial dog treats recently. Even a half biscuit of some brands, and my golden retriever turns red. I went the simple route: dog biscuits made by the kibble company. They're the same price as the non-hypoallergenic ones, but without the dubious ingredients. I wouldn't eat them myself (they're a bit too crunchy) but the ingredients (with the exception of seaweed and one other thing, probably nettles) are all recognisable as things I personally have eaten at some point in the past. Thankfully they seem to be considered tasty. For variation, we also use the same brand but in cat kibble for clicker training. I'd recommend brands, but I suspect from the labels that some of mine are UK only.

Anything else we feed is human food carefully chosen (no beef, pork, gluten, chicken, what or anything artificial due to allergies). Basically, the dog eats better than me. I find human foods (cheese, lunch meats, etc) are often cheaper than dog treats. On a good day, I get 2,000 clicks from a £1 box of mild cheddar cheese.

[Kirsten]

I use string cheese, mostly.  Sometimes hotdogs or little bits of chicken.  Yes, I actually do get the Kosher franks to know what's in them.  My mom thinks I'm crazy doing that for dogs.  Commercial treats have too many chemicals and sugar.  Just like junk food for humans.  And my dogs don't like them any better than what I do use.

I can easily get over 100 treats from one ounce of string cheese.

Also, don't forget that food isn't the only reinforcer useful in training.  Toys and life rewards can be powerful reinforcers as well.

[Roxie]

Tay got a bunch of homemade dog treats from you guys back when I was sick. So, now I'm sold on the homemade treats. I can control the fats, additives, meats in them. It is very inexpensive and easy to make the simple ones.

I did learn, though, that once opened they really need to be frozen becuase they do grow mold in the fridge if they aren't used up quickly. I just trim the mold off (like with cheese or breaD)

Tay LOVES homemade treats! Far more than any commercial ones.

I used to give hot dogs for treats.... but with my new lifestyle, those are rare treats for me due to the preservatives and fats. If it is not good for me, it's not good for Tay.

[Amber]

I've been doing either Bil-Jac's Little Jacs or Goberlicious.  These treats are made for small dogs, about the size of a pea.  I break them into halves or fourths, so I have really small pieces.  But I found out there is some sugar in them.  I was actually looking at Zuke's, as they also seem to be soft and easy to break.  I tend to leave empty de-labeled pill bottles laying around with treats so I can't have anything that needs to be refrigerated.  We use a lot of "life treats" of course, going out, playing, toy exchange, food, pets, etc.

Actually, as of right now, Maigee's favorite treat appears to be either cheese or the home made ones she got for Christmas from Kellyn.  I try to not give too much cheese, as I didn't think that lactose was good for dogs?  Or is cheese okay?

[sunshineone]

Cheese and yogurt is fine it is regular milk that gives dogs and cats issues.

[Kirsten]

As with any food item, some dogs tolerate cheese better than others.  Luna and Ruby can eat any amount, or so they claim.  Cole must be cut off at 1 oz or his stool gets soft.

If I'm not in a formal training session and my dog needs reinforcement, I give genuine praise (sincere tone and physical backup, ie "whatta star! + butt scratch).  Most people don't give praise correctly (in a way that is meaningful to the dog).  If you give it correctly, it's as reinforcing as food to most dogs, and you have to wonder a bit about a would-be service dog who will work for food, but not for the genuine approval of his human partner.  I'm actually most likely to use food when luring or desensitizing.  Otherwise, it's genuine praise or a toy.

[HumSD]

Max needs grain-free treats so we have larger grain-free biscuits for in-home use. For training treats, I'm pretty frugal.  I use the Zukes when learning something new but for reinforcing a task or behavior I use dog food. Not Max's regular dog food. Several local pet stores give out sample size bags of dog food and I just grab one of each kind that Max can eat. They go into the treat pouch and voila!

[Ketreva]

Speaking of life rewards, Windy, one of my first dogs, was very scent motivated. I would sometimes train in the kitchen and open the fridge slightly and shut it, using the smell of open refrigerator as a reward. (our fridge didn't stink, but my mom cooks in such a way that there are always leftovers.. so she thought it smelled wonderful in there.) Her mother was very bad about opening the fridge and eating one or two bites out of everything, thankfully, Windy never picked up on that trick.