What makes a good Training Treat?

Asarra · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject: What makes a good Training Treat?

Does anyone have a good recommendation for training treats. We are going to a 1 hour beginning agility course and she gets tons of treats the whole time. I usually hold back her dinner as a result of it. I have tried, hot dogs, cheese, and baked chicken breast. All of which are way to messy to deal with in a class! I end up with chicken juice all over my arms, shorts, lead, and clicker. It is disgusting. I'm a little hesitant to buy store treats because she gets so much! I'm afraid it might make her tummy hurt. Any suggestions or should I just deal with the chicken juice. Storm doesn't seem to mind it.

peppernaei · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

I use Zuke's Mini Naturals - they're small but kinda smelly so the dogs love them and I even pinch them in half sometimes and get two from one. I have also used Natural Balance dog food rolls which I cut up into tiny bite sized pieces. I have also used the Darford mini treats but they are drier and less "exciting" for the dogs.

NenaGunther · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

CherrystoneWeims · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject:

I generally use string cheese, beef jerky, hot dogs.

I also have a "bait pouch" that I hook to my belt when I am training. I put the treats in that so my clothes don't get messy. Unforturnately when I show my dogs though my suit (I wear a suit when showing) pockets get messy.

Pam

AmazingGrayce · Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

I use zukes as well! small and easy!

yoko · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: bag of treats!

at our beginner puppy class the instructor showed us to give very tiny treats - basically he takes a mixture of a whole bunch of treats - freeze dried chicken, freeze dried liver, those soft liver ball-type ones - then he breaks them up into very tiny little treats and keeps them in a pouch. it is working well for us and since they're so small we really don't worry about our puppy getting so much. she seems to be satisfied with the treats even though they're very small. same with the other dogs.

hoochmamas · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:24 am Post subject:

wellness makes a puppy treat in a yellow pouch.. very soft.. i break them up into 3 pieces sometimes.. and he always responds well to them. i use chicken or beef jerky cut up with a scissor sometimes, too.. no mess on the mama..
the harder cookies are easy to break up, as well, but he doesn't always fall for them over a squirrel!

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

i think wegman uses pork loin. you could probably cook it pretty dry and cut it pretty small and they would still LOVE it.