How to Choose the Best Dog Treats for Training

If you’re training a new dog and don’t know where to begin, start with finding the best dog treats. Training, of all kinds, tend to be stressful and time-consuming. Add a puppy with a short attention span (or a cantankerous old canine, stuck in their ways) and even the most experienced dog-owner would be left feeling frustrated. The solution to working with an uncooperative pooch? Finding the right incentives.



Like all other living creatures, dogs are reward-driven. While they love praise in the form of belly rubs or a game of fetch, their stomachs ultimately rule supreme. Food-based rewards are the quickest way of getting even the most disobedient dog’s attention. When used consistently and correctly, dog treats are an incredibly powerful behavior modifier and learning tool. Training will become exponentially more effective and, dare we say, may even be enjoyable.



Recommended site: Get the Best Dog Treats for Dogs of All Sizes



Rank Dog Treats Into These Three Categories…



Before commencing the dog training process, pet owners need to establish a treat hierarchy. All of a dog’s treats should be categorized as either being low value, medium value, or high value. Just as their names imply, these levels coincide with the desirability of the treat. Typically, the more distraction in an environment, the higher level a treat needs to be to retain a dog’s attention.



Low Value Treats



The least exciting of your dog’s treat options; things like kibble, hard dog biscuits, ice cubes, or vegetables. These are appropriate for use in familiar environments that have few distractions (i.e. your home).



Medium Value Treats



These are enticing options that your dog would likely never refuse but aren’t one that they consistently go nuts over. Cheese, jerky, or other snack-like goodies fall in this category.



Recommended article: Delicious Jerky Treats for Dogs



High Value Treats



The gold star, holy grail, cream-of-the-crop as far as treats go. These are typically protein-based rewards like a piece of unprocessed chicken or beef. The more distracting the environment is, the more appealing the treat should be. Even in unfamiliar locations or ones with high activity (like a dog park), these treats will keep their attention. Use high value treats at the start of teaching a new command to keep motivation high.



This treat ranking system is crucial for getting dogs to perform a desired behavior in different environments. It’s also necessary to adjust the reward-tier based on how well they execute a command. Failing to scale your treats upward or downwards could cause them to lose motivation in fulfilling the desired reaction. You wouldn’t give someone a first-place trophy just for participating, right? The same principle applies when using dog treats for training.



Strong Odors Wanted



When in doubt, follow your nose. This is the guiding principle your dog will use to determine what they give their attention to, and how owners should determine what qualifies as a high value dog treat. Fortunately, dog’s noses are much more powerful than a human’s so this may not necessarily be something your own nose picks up.



To find the more pungent dog treat options, look for natural chews that are minimally processed. The less a treat is processed, the more the original flavor and smells will remain intact. Cooked meats would also be highly effective – just be sure to skip on the seasonings.



The Smaller the Better



Training involves repeating commands in rapid succession. This is why the best treats to use are during training are “fast eats”.These types of dog treats are small and could be eaten in a matter of seconds. Consuming large treats in a short time is a sure-fire way to upset your dog’s tummy. Not to mention the health ramifications of overdoing their caloric) intake.



It’s also crucial that treats can be eaten quickly to keep a dog’s focus. Swiftly moving from treat to command helps to create the initial association that action equals a reward. Avoid any treats that require your dog to stop and gnaw for an extended period. Anything that can’t be eaten in a few seconds shortens the time between each repetition which makes the training less effective



While your dog may love their bully sticks or other gnawable chews, these are better used to create positive relationships with places they will spend multiple hours in – like a crate or a vehicle.



Recommended article: Best Bully Sticks for Dogs of All Sizes



There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Dog



If your new dog is struggling to find the motivation to “sit”, “stay”, or “roll over” the problem may not lie with them. Instead, take a good, hard look at your treat drawer. Encouraging your pet to learn something new means you’ve got to bring your A-game. Fortunately, Big Lu specializes in creating top-of-the-line treats that dogs go nuts over. Explore their incredible selection of healthy and all-natural chews for the best dog treats to use during the training process.
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