What treats to give my dog

What treats should you give your furball? The gourmet dog training manual!

Like us, dogs are greedy and will always appreciate a little treat. In addition, if you are learning with your four-legged companion, treats are good rewards that will keep the doggie motivated and attentive. But how do you choose the right snacks based on your dog’s needs and desires?

Fasten your seat belts and let’s go!

1.     Why give treats?

We don't teach you, dogs are generally greedy. They like to watch you cook but above all make eyes at you hoping for a share of the feast . So when you want to train your dog, one of the best ways to motivate him is through food! From a young puppy to an old grandfather, we sometimes need to educate them or teach them new tricks, so grab a little reward that will make your taste buds salivate and off you go.

It's positive learning that associates good behavior with a reward, transforming training sessions into real dog parties. And between us, a well-behaved doggie deserves his share of treats, right? After all, congratulating our four-legged companions for their exemplary behavior is the least we can do!

2.     Suitable treats

Many choices are available on the market but how do you know which ones are right for your dog?

Opt for premium food, because your companion deserves the best of the best. Turn to tasty meat-based treats, without artificials or preservatives. They come in a thousand and one forms: strips, bites, sticks, semi-moist kibbles... Choose treats that are simple to give and slip into your pocket for an instant reward. Remember that chocolate is toxic to dogs so we avoid it.

And what about fruits and vegetables? Forget tomatoes, raisins, cherries, avocados, onions, leeks, chives and peppers... It's good for our health but not theirs ! Prefer broccoli, peas, beans, cucumber, celery, spinach, pineapple, strawberries, and many other delicacies.

Don't forget to choose according to the size and jaw of your faithful companion: small puppies love soft bites, while adults prefer a bone to gnaw on.

It is recommended that you do not feed your dog easily brittle bones such as chicken, duck, rabbit, mutton, lamb or pork bones. Additionally, raw pig bones can transmit diseases to your pet. So choose hard bones like beef bones and always raw! Never give a cooked bone to your dog because cooked bones are brittle or crumbly and there is therefore a risk of intestinal obstruction, perforation of the digestive system, choking, oral injury, broken teeth, etc. Hard bones can be considered dental treats meaning they not only function as a reward but also help maintain your dog's dental health.

3.     Quality for a fit dog

To delight your doggie's taste buds, aim for the crème de la crème of treats! Opt for high-protein snacks that are as delicious as they are nutritious. With treats full of meat or fish, your dog will be throwing themselves at your feet in no time, while enjoying a feast worthy of a five-star restaurant! For learning worthy of professionals, regular and varied use of sweets is recommended, which is why we avoid sweets, cheese and biscuits. On the other hand, you can enjoy it, no worries 😊

To stay in shape and look your best, opt for low-calorie treats. And if he has trouble resisting the call of gluttony, simply reduce the portion size of the daily meal. After all, feeling good in your harness is as important as having silky hair and a moist nose.

Keep in mind that a treat is a reward, but for the dog, it's the action that counts. So, whether you give a huge piece of cheese or a very small one, for the dog, it's the same thing. For his line on the other hand, it's different and it can become more problematic. therefore favor small pieces, even if it means giving him more, rather than large pieces.

4.     A one-time pleasure

As they say, too much of a good thing can sometimes be...too much! So yes, treats are perfect for effective education, but be careful not to overdo them. Otherwise, the door is open to all excesses!

At first, your dog will love every bite like it's the best thing in the world. But if you give it too often, the magic fades and the motivation disappears. Worse still, he could abandon his usual meal to rush to his snacks, which leads to health problems and obesity.

So, as you train your four-legged friend, gradually reduce the quantity and frequency of treats. The objective? May he no longer need a reward at every street corner to listen to you. Balance is the key to a harmonious relationship between man and his best furry friend! 

5.     Treats and dressing: winning duo

Now that we have seen which treats to choose, how to use them?

Using treats is ideal for teaching the basics: sit, heel, stand still, let go, and many more. For optimal learning, opt for small bits for the points to remember like these then larger bits when the effort made is more significant such as ignoring another dog for example.

The main thing is to reward exemplary behavior, so be careful not to distribute treats randomly, as this could confuse your dog about what is right or wrong to do . Additionally, avoid giving a treat at the end of a walk just because he was good. He may not understand, considering it an instant pleasure unrelated to his behavior.

So, get your treats, set, reward!

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