Factors to Consider When Choosing Dog Treats For Training
When choosing dog treats, you must consider:
Ensure that your dog likes it because if it doesn’t, then the dog treat is useless. That is why most trainers choose to work with certified brands of dog treats or cooked treats acceptable to a wide variety of dogs.
The smaller the size, the faster the dog will finish and resume training, but if the dog treat is enormous, your dog may become satiated after a few treats, thus putting a stop to the training. Using cooked treats, cut them up into small sizes to ensure that the training lasts longer since the rewards can last for a long time.
Therefore, dog trainers should get small-sized treats such as wellness Core Pure Rewards Jerky Bites to ensure that the training lasts longer and that the dog doesn’t get an upset stomach due to too much eating.
Dog Training requires patience, and you will need all the help you can get. So, besides treats, it is a good idea to check out these dog training apps, Goodpup, Pup to Date, Pupford Dog Training App, and Dogo.
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Q. Why do handlers hold a treat in their mouths before they give it to the dog? Don’t they have pockets?
A. “Not all handlers put the bait in their mouths, but I think that when they do, it is more for quick access than anything else,” says Livingston. “Some dogs show more interest when you have it between your teeth, while other breeds dont need to be baited at all.”
What do dog handlers put in their mouths?
When youre watching a dog show competition, youll see some handlers holding their hands aloft, capturing their dogs rapt attention. You might even see them put whats in their hand into their shirts or mouths.
Its their “bait,” the dogs favorite food that keeps their attention and motivates them to perform while in the ring. Toys work for some dogs, too. Its also known as “luring,” a technique used during positive-reinforcement training where the treat is used as a lure to get a behavior. Trainers describe the treat as a kind of magnet used to get the dog to follow your hand into a specific position. And lets be honest—show dog or not, we all love a tasty reward.
“This breed lives for food,” says Colleen Hamm, describing her keeshond Stormy who competed in the 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina. It goes without saying that Hamm was also describing, albeit indirectly, me at Thanksgiving dinner.
Why use bait? It can help your dog find the best pose or posture for the judge, whos looking for a specific stance and build, says Jeffery Pepper, the 2021 National Dog Show Best in Show judge.
The small bits of food can vary from the typical (chicken) to the weird (vegetables, really?). It depends on what your dog likes and can quickly consume in the ring. When they need both their hands, the handlers will sometimes stow the food in peculiar places—tucked inside their armbands, within their bras, and, yes, right into their mouths.
“[Handlers] pull stuff out of their mouth all the time,” says John OHurley, the Seinfeld actor whos been a member of the National Dog Show broadcast for 20 years. “… And the dog doesnt seem to care.”
Hey, we cant really blame them. Some of these treats sound pretty good! Read on for the most interesting snacks from the 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina.
Karen Graeber (Poppy, bichon frise): Beef jerky and Poppys favorite squeaky toy. This bichon is particular, not wanting the chicken her sibling gets. “She wont look at chicken,” Graeber tells Daily Paws. “She wants beef jerky.” Same.
Jessica Stretz (Theodora, Siberian husky): string cheese. Healthy! The low-fat mozzarella stick from your childhood lunch box is a safe cheese option for dogs to eat.
Sharliene Bowers (Jäger, German shepherd): smoked turkey bologna, which offers a “really strong, smokey scent.” Coincidence that this pooch goes for the BBQ option, and also spends time at the local firehouse? We think not.
Karen Mammano (Matthew, Newfoundland): Usually chicken, but hes been taken with Hebrew National hot dogs lately. “Hes very specific,” Mammano says. We can respect a dog with a particular palate.
Latisha Delatorre (Sam, Norfolk terrier): chicken and a fuzzy mouse squeaky toy, which is a great representation of the prey his breed was originally bred to hunt.
David Frei, Host: The longtime dog show commentator remembers one handler using a particularly fragrant vegetable as bait—one “that you could smell coming.” Whatever works, I guess? We have to assume its not garlic, as that can be toxic for dogs. Maybe it was steamed broccoli, which may actually have some health benefits. Gross.
Jeffery Pepper, Judge: Hes seen plenty of baits over his 36 years of judging, from hunting dogs following bird feathers to “all kinds of really strange toys.” If thats the reward that gets the dog to perform his best, thats what you go with.
Whats the one thing that can get your dog to do anything on cue? Shoot us a DM at @DailyPaws on Instagram and let us know what your pups favorite treat ( … or toy, or feather … ) is—bonus points if its one us humans can share, too!