Training your dog is necessary for their development, and one way to keep them interested and motivated is to use positive reinforcement such as treats. Most dogs are hyperactive with a short attention span; this can pose a challenge during training and can leave you frustrated. To get their full attention, your Lehi pet trainer may recommend keeping training sessions short and consistent, with the addition of treats where necessary.
Treats can serve as a great tool in training dogs by using them to strengthen good behavior. It can also be a great way to bond with your dogs or just a fun way to spoil them. The trick here is to have a balance, not to make your dogs overly dependent on treats. Treats should be used appropriately when training a dog; this includes knowing when, how, and the right amount of treatment to use.
When it comes to Dog training, one thing we have come to realize is – it only gets better with time. However, in this article, we will like to share an insight into how to use your dog treats to train your dog.
How Many Treats Per Day Do I Give My Dog?
The simple rule of thumb here is to give your dog 10% of its total daily calorie intake. This rule applies to both puppies and adult dogs.
This is an excellent way to watch their weight gain and not cause them to be overweight.
However, you should note that the calorie needs of a highly active dog will be different from the calorie needs of a less active dog. If you are not certain about what your dog’s calorie needs should be, consult with a veterinarian.
What are Healthy Dog Treats
In choosing healthy food treats for your dogs, always read through the food labels to make sure it contains the essential ingredients necessary for your dogs.
Things you should look out for;
High-Quality Food
Grains, pumpkins, fish, chicken, and beef are all great food treat options for your dogs. Be sure to feed them in bite-sized bits for easy chewing.
Vegetables
Broccoli, yogurt, carrots, and green beans are good dog treats. Feeding them vegetables helps to promote their moisture content.
Fruits
Bananas, blueberries, and apples are good for dogs’ health because of their vitamins and antioxidant properties. They also serve as a source of natural preservatives.
However, you should take note to always keep your sugar intake to the lowest because it can cause digestive issues and long-term health complications.
Things You Should Avoid
Artificial Sweeteners
Avoid artificial sweeteners. Instead, opt for a more natural one like honey.
Food Labels With Short Ingredients List
This is because food labels with fewer ingredients are less likely to contain harmful ingredients.
Chemical Preservatives
Avoid chemical preservatives; this includes ethoxyquin, butylated-hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated-hydroxytoluene (BHT).
Chemical Colorings
Avoid artificial and chemical additives and colorings.
Long Food Labels
Do not go for food labels with a long list of colorings you can’t pronounce.
Importance of Dog Treats
Training
One major importance of treats is how they can be used as a tool to train dogs. You can give your dog a treat to let them know they are behaving well, accomplishing a task well, or simply obeying a command.
For this to work, it is important to know what your dog considers as high-value or low-value treats. This helps to reward them appropriately. A high-value treat might be beneficial if you have to train in a distracting environment or for your dog’s best behaviors. However, take note always to keep your treats small; it allows for easy and fast consumption and encourages repetition of behavior without the dog packing on too many calories.
Because of how easily distracted dogs can get, we recommend having a variety of treats to avoid boredom.
Bonding
Asides from training, treats can be a great way to bond with your dog. Sometimes, it will be nice to give your dog treats to make them happy. You will probably see them wagging their tails as a sign of appreciation and affection.
Health Supplements
Treats are also a good way to supplement their nutritional needs. If you got a dog that won’t eat much, using different treats can serve as temporary food. Generally, Treats with the right ingredients will help improve their overall health.
Keeps Them Busy
Treats can come in different shapes, sizes, and forms. A bone-like treat can be used to keep your dog busy if they are hyperactive, or maybe, you want your dog on a spot.
Tips to Consider When Training Dogs
Use the Perfect Dog Treat
Training treats include toys, food, verbal praise, petting, and play. So how do you know the perfect treat? Well, for starters, you can use the trial-and-error method. This means trying out different treats to see which one the dog likes and which one it spits out.
Give Treats Immediately After The Behavior
For training to be successful, we recommend giving treats immediately after a behavior.
This is because of their short attention spans. If you wait seconds before giving a treat, they might forget why they are receiving it.
For example, if you want to teach your dog how to dump outside, when you take her outside, and she dumps, make sure to give her a treat immediately. Any delay can make her forget the reason she is receiving the treat.
Don’t Use Treats For Bad Behaviour
If your dog does something you do not like, do not reward their bad behavior with treats. It will only encourage them.
Let’s say you are walking your dog, and she decides to run off, which causes you to panic and call out for her to return to you. She returns after a while, and in response, you give her a treat or pet her; you have only succeeded in teaching them it is okay to run off.
Do Not Use It As a Bargaining Tool
Treats shouldn’t be used as a bargaining tool to train your dogs; it will only make them do the task for the wrong reasons.
We always advise dog owners to hide the treat in their hands or leave it in their pockets. It would be best if you didn’t show or give them treats until they have successfully done your command.
Be Patient With Your Dog
Training a dog successfully can take time and will require patience. It is important to commit oneself to a training procedure and also keep a record of your dog’s behavior. This can help you to monitor their progress and recognize new trends easily.
Treats are good for our four-legged furry friends. They are not only used as a training tool but can also be a form of bonding with them. However, we should always maintain a healthy portion of treats for our dogs. To learn more about dog training, you can visit; https://canine-by-design.com/.
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