Effective Uses of Dog Treats

Dog treats have more importance in our life than we can probably think of. In fact, treats are priceless where training, rewarding and reinforcing positive behavior is concerned. Treats are one of the most basic ways to show your dog that you care and love him. Not to mention, inexpensive and handy as well.

We have always been a believer of using positive reinforcement while training a dog. And here treats play a major role.

The most vital uses of dog treats are as follows:

Use Treat for Dog Training

One of the most important uses of dog treat is perhaps using it for training.

Treat training is considered as one of the motivational training techniques. It encourages positive reinforcement without hurting your dog’s sentiments. You will also make your dog do what you want by bribing him with something he wants.

Dog Trainers use this method to teach the dogs to obey commands like SIT, COME, STAND, etc. Treat training is also used while potty training dogs and correcting bad behavior.

In case you have no idea what treat training is all about, here are few scoops you can use:

• Choose one particular treat such as cookie or a biscuit and use it solely for training purposes. Do not use that particular treat at any other time of the day.

• Before you begin your training, keep the treats handy in a bag or in your pocket.

• Make sure this bag is out of your dog’s reach, or he will easily jump on it and hog it down.

• Suppose you start with the sit command, say “SIT” in a firm yet steady voice. Hold the treat above your dog’s head.

• Do not reward with a treat until he obeys your command and sits on the floor.

• When finally your dog does listen to you, give him his reward, pat him and praise him.

• Do not repeat this process for more than four times. Too much intake of treats can prove to be harmful for your dog.

You might use the same method while training your dog to obey other commands like COME, STAY or GO.

Once your dog becomes fully trained, gradually replace treat with praise. Reinforce occasionally with a bit of favorite doggie bone, but don't depend on the treat to train your dog all the time.

One small note of advice: While obedience training your dog, do not give him the entire biscuit or meat treat every time he does the right thing. Before you begin the training session, break the treats into bits and pieces and use them one by one.

You can use treats to reinforce or teach good potty habits by rewarding your dog with a bit of treat or other tasty morsel when he relieves himself at his designated potty place.

By chance if he accidentally potties at a wrong place, do not give him any treat. This will confuse him and he will think, that no matter what he does, he will get his treat anyway.

Groomers also use treats while training the dogs to remain calm while grooming.

Treats Are Healthy Diet Supplements

Many a times you’ll notice that your dog will eagerly eat a treat but will grouch over a bowl of kibble. But while a kid’s idea of treat is a pack full of chips or a bar of chocolate, a dog eating a scrumptious meat treat can be quite healthy and good.

Homemade natural treats or good quality doggie snacks are good options to keep your dog content and happy.

For those owners who consider treats as junk food, think again. Study has proved that good quality dog treats are as healthy as any other dog food. In fact, many a times, dog treats contain more protein and mineral supplements than ordinary dog food. Dog treats are far safer than table scraps you feed your dog.

The other common way to use these treats is to clean and maintain your dog’s teeth. Those dog treats that are chewable and encourage your dog to use their teeth acts as good teeth cleaners. Few of these treats are chewy bones, snacks or mint treats.

In a nutshell, the following types of treats are super-healthy and are great for your dog’s mental and physical health:

• Low-Fat Treats – Low in calorie counts and fats
• Non-cholesterol Treats – Contains no cholesterol
• Digestive Treats – Improves digestion
• Beauty Treats – Provides beauty boosts, great for skin and coat
• Training Treats – Amends bad behavior and serves great for reward purposes
• Healthy Treats – Increases the energy level, makes the dog more agile and active
• Dental Treats – Acts as teeth cleaners, enhances chewing habits, removes bad breath
• Nutritious Treats – Acts as a proper diet supplement

Make your dog feel loved

Treats are perhaps one of the nicest way to show your dog how much you love him. Your dog would love to get a crunchy dog biscuit from you. He would wag his tale and look at you with pleading eyes as if asking for more. But don’t succumb to that look and give him more than you usually give.

One treat a day is okay. Do not give him more than that.