Can you use kibble as treats?
Yes, kibble can be used as a treat and is especially good as a small training treat. It’s important to remember that treats used as rewards need to be something the dog likes, but if your dog enjoys their kibble, you can use it in your training.
For dogs that will be getting many treats, or dogs on a strict diet (due to allergies, obesity, or otherwise) using their kibble as treats solves problems associated with overeating or ingesting allergens.
You should never withhold food from your dog for the sake of training. If you only feed your dog when they’ve done something you wanted, it’s easy for the food to become coercive.
Dogs may be pushed into situations they are not comfortable with because their innate need for food overrules their concerns about their safety and wellbeing.
Instead, feed your dog portions of their kibble as a meal – for free – and use other portions of the kibble as rewards.
If your dog doesn’t earn enough rewards throughout the day to eat the portion you have saved, they should still get that in their bowl at the end of the day. Kibble is useful as a treat, but it’s also one of the Five Freedoms to ensure your dog is free from hunger and thirst.
If you’re wondering if your dog can get bored of their kibble, be sure to read our post on that subject here: Do Dogs Get Bored of Their Food? Answered!
Kibble treats are simply dry dog food – kibble – used as treats rather than given in a bowl. The kibble you use as treats can be the same food your dog regularly eats, or a different kind of kibble you reserve for training purposes.
Because training treats should be pea-sized in general, kibble often makes a great option since it’s already a small size, and also is nutritionally balanced rather than full of sugars.
If you’re struggling with getting your dog to like their kibble, then make sure you read our post Puppy Won’t Eat Kibble? Do This!
If your dog will work for his regular diet, thats a great benefit because then you dont have to worry about unbalancing your dogs diet or adding too many calories using other treats. For example, if your dog eats 1 cup of kibble per day, you can take 1/2 cup and reserve that for your training lessons and know that you are not feeding your dog too many calories in treats. Many dogs will be excited for training sessions with their kibble if you can amp it up a bit as I describe below.
What if your dog is on a special wet diet? All is not lost! You can spread the food on a cookie sheet and bake it at 200 until it gets dried out enough to chop up for use as treats. Voila!
Also, I would also please ask if you find our website helpful that you reward us with your business! Thanks!
But lets talk a little more about food treat for training your dog. And first off, maybe you are not comfortable using food treats because you feel that your dog should do it out of loyalty to you or love or because you are the pack leader? If so, I would ask you to consider it this way, if you werent being paid with money would you do your job? Maybe you would, but maybe not quite as well or as early in the morning!? Food treats serve to help to make sure your dog is motivated to do what you ask of him or her even if it means stopping doing something fun like saying “hi” to another dog. I also figure that since I have to feed my dog anyway, I might as well “use” that food to reinforce behaviors I like and that make my life with my dog more enjoyable.
What I recommend when using your dogs food for training is to make it more exciting than the usual food, (unless you have a dog that is gaga for its food just the way it is – in that case consider yourself lucky!). To make the food more exciting you can mix it up with a few pieces of stinky cheese or hot dog and let it sit and marinate for awhile. You could also dust it with some fine Parmesan cheese or liver powder or maybe a little fish oil. Be creative!
Just as your dog likes certain treats more than others, he might also like a variety. Dogs can become bored with the same old treat. If you notice your dog’s enthusiasm is fading, change to a different reward of equal or greater value. You can even use several different treats during a session, so your dog never knows what type of delicious morsel is coming next.
Sometimes you want treats on hand for impromptu training — for example, reinforcing good behavior around the house, like lying quietly on a dog bed. In these cases, having food in your pocket or a dog treat bag at all times will allow you to provide an immediate reward. Perishable treats like leftover chicken simply won’t work. Look for nonperishable treats that you can carry around, such as freeze-dried liver or jerky treats cut into tiny pieces.
Sometimes treats should last as long as possible. Teaching your dog to love his crate, helping him pass the time while you’re out of the house, or encouraging him to lie quietly beside you while you watch TV are all perfect situations for a long-lasting treat. Look for chewy treats like bully sticks that your dog can savor. Alternatively, use dog toys you can stuff with food. A Kong can be filled with cream cheese or peanut butter for a time-consuming treat. Or plug the end, fill it with broth, and put it in the freezer for a snack on a hot day. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
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There are many ways to reward your dog for a job well done. Throwing a tennis ball might be great at the end of a long “stay,” or a romp in the backyard after practicing “wait” by the door. But food treats are often the most convenient and effective way to influence your dog’s behavior. Here are some tips for choosing the right dog treat for the right situation.