Which kind of treat do you use for training your dog?

Which kind of treat do you use for training your dog?

There are a few good options for dog training treats:

• Small pieces of soft treats like chicken, hot dogs or cheese. These are high value to most dogs and make good rewards for learning new commands.

• Commercial training treats like bite-sized biscuits, jerky treats or soft training treats. These are formulated specifically for training and come in various flavors dogs find appealing. They are easy to carry and portion during training sessions.

Dry kibble from the dog's regular diet. While not as high value as meat treats, kibble works well for basic lure and reward training.

 

• Healthy alternatives like cut up fruits and vegetables. Carrots, apples and string cheese can work as occasional training treats, though most dogs prefer meat or commercial treats.

The most important thing is to use treats that your particular dog finds motivating and interesting. Start with high value treats when first teaching a new behavior, then transition to lower value treats as the command becomes more routine. Always use treats that are low in calories to avoid excess weight gain.

To find the best treats for your dog, experiment with different options and see which ones get the most enthusiastic response during training. Then stick with those treats to keep your dog motivated and focused during training sessions.

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