Training Treats - A Biscuit Ain't Gonna Cut It

In dog training classes, I'm often asked what kind of treats I use.  I've listed a few of my favorites below.  When training dogs (especially rambunctious adolescent dogs that would rather do anything but pay attention to its owners) it's important to use food/treats that are rewarding to the dog, and will motivate them to do what you ask of them.  I never use dry biscuits for training!  I try to pick smelly treats that are made with good ingredients.  Usually this ends up being something with meat or fish as the number one ingredient.

I also like to mix up the treats so the dogs never know what to expect.  All they know is that I'm the giver of yummy treats, and I will pay them for working for me!


Natural Balance Dog Food Rolls

This is a big roll of dog food that comes in beef, turkey and lamb flavor.  I usually cut these rolls into little treat size cubes and store them in the refrigerator in a Ziploc bag.  These rolls have the texture of Spam, so it will stay solid even if you cut it up.  When it's time for a training session or a walk, I grab a handful of the treat cubes from the fridge.  The dogs LOVE these because it smells like real meat (because it is)!  They're also moist and easy for the dogs to swallow.

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/DFRolls.html

Available at Crazy Canine (Aiea), Petco and most major pet stores.


Wildside Salmon Training Treats for Dogs

These are bite-sized freeze-dried bits of salmon that dogs love.  These treats have a strong salmon smell so they are quite motivating for dogs.

http://www.wildsidesalmon.com/retailcatalog.html

Available at Crazy Canine (Aiea)


Real Meat Treat Jerky series

These soft jerky treats are made from real meat and come in various flavors including chicken & venison, lamb, fish & venison, beef and more.  The treats are really easy to tear up, so you can use little pieces for training to get the most bang out of your buck.

http://www.realmeatpet.com/realmeattreats.htm

Available at Crazy Canine (Aiea)




Crazy Canine Chicken Jerky

Dogs love these chicken treats.  Made in Hawaii, these treats are made with 100% chicken breast meat. Sliced thin and dried for 10 hours for a delicious crunchy snack. No preservatives, salt, nor sugar, just chicken.  Because the chicken is dried, I tend to use this treat during training rather than dog walks.  During walks the dogs are running around and panting, so if they eat a dry treat like this, sometimes they swallow too fast and start coughing.

Available at Crazy Canine in Aiea

Pet Botanics Omega Salmon Treats

Dogs love Cardinal Laboratories’ unique 5-layer Pet Botanics Healthy Omega Treats, especially this salmon flavor.  It is stinky and easy to cut into smaller pieces.  They contain no wheat, soybean, glutens, grains, or artificial flavor. They offer Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants that make your dog’s coat shine. Ingredients include salmon sweet potato, and cod.

Available online



Lamb and Rice Jerky by Sunshine Mills

This comes in a clear container with a red lid and is available for a low price at Costco.  The jerky comes in a strip about 6 or 7 inches long, and is easy to tear into little pieces.  It's not a super-high-value treat for training purposes, but it can still be used for low-difficulty-level training.


Available at Costco

Raw Beef Bones/Hooves

Raw beef bones are not good for training, but they are a good substitute for a chew toy if you have a high-energy adolescent dog that would do some destructive digging or chewing if you leave them home alone.  Raw bones are good for the dogs' teeth, and are safer than cooked or smoked bones because they can't crack.  Tamura's market (and probably most supermarkets) sell frozen beef bones in bags of 5-6 for only a few dollars.


Available at Tamura's Market freezer section