Training Treat Do's and Don'ts | How to Properly Use Training Treats
Training your dog with treats can be highly effective, but it's essential to know the right way to do it. Picture this: you're in the park, trying to teach your dog a new trick, but they're more interested in the squirrels than in you. Or maybe you're at home, trying to teach your dog to roll over, but they just don't seem to get it. Understanding the training treat do's and don'ts will help you ensure your dog learns efficiently and safely. In this blog, we'll explore how to properly use training treats to maximise your dog's training sessions, making the process enjoyable and effective for both you and your furry friend.
Training Treat Do's
Do read the ingredient list on your dog's treats
When choosing training treats, always read the ingredient list. High-quality ingredients are crucial for your dog's health. Avoid treats with artificial preservatives, colours, and flavours. Opt for natural treats with wholesome ingredients. Knowing what goes into your dog's treats helps you make informed decisions about their diet and overall well-being.
Do think of the quality of your dog's treats
The quality of treats matters just as much as the ingredients. High-quality treats tend to be more palatable and nutritious. Investing in good quality treats can lead to better training outcomes and a healthier dog. Look for treats that are specifically designed for training purposes, as they are usually formulated to be both tasty and healthy to help you grab and keep your dog's attention.
Do find the most suitable size treat for your dog
The size of the treat is important. Training treats should be small enough to be consumed quickly, allowing for continuous training without long breaks. Larger treats can be broken into smaller pieces to ensure your dog gets just a taste. This keeps your dog motivated and prevents overfeeding.
Do have a variety of training treats for your dog
Variety keeps your dog interested and motivated. Having a mix of different flavours and different textures, like hard and soft training treats, can make training sessions more exciting for your dog. It also helps you determine which treats your dog prefers, allowing you to use their favourites for more challenging training exercises.
Do reward desirable behaviours
Rewarding desirable behaviours reinforces positive actions. Give your dog a treat immediately after they perform the desired behaviour. This helps them associate the action with a positive outcome, making them more likely to repeat it in the future.
Do give your dog space when feeding a long-lasting treat
When giving your dog a long-lasting treat, such as a chew, ensure they have a quiet, safe space to enjoy it. This prevents any anxiety or territorial behaviour and allows your dog to relax and savour the treat.
Do store your treats out of reach from your dog
Store treats in a secure place out of your dog's reach. This prevents them from accessing and potentially overeating treats, which can lead to health issues such as obesity. Proper storage also keeps the treats fresh and tasty.
Do use training treats in training sessions
Training treats are specifically designed to be used during training sessions. One study found that 83% of interviewed dog owners used training treats on a regular basis for training sessions. Highlighting their importance in effection dog training. Training treats are usually small, tasty, and low in calories, making them perfect for frequent rewards without impacting your dog's diet.
Do correspond your dog's treat with the level of training
Different types of training may require different treats. For example, high-value treats can be reserved for new or difficult tasks, whilst lower-value treats can be used for basic commands. Matching the treat to the training helps keep your dog motivated.
Do be consistent with training
Consistency is key in dog training. Use the same gestures, commands, markers and routines to help your dog learn faster. Consistent training sessions build a strong foundation and reinforce good behaviour.
Do be consistent when rewarding your dog
Just as consistency in training is important, so is consistency in rewarding. Always reward your dog in the same manner for performing a desired behaviour. Additionally, when training a command, ensure you give the treat straight after you mark the correct behaviour. This reinforces the connection between the behaviour and the reward.
Do make sure everyone uses the same command words for your dog
Ensure everyone in your household uses the same command words. Consistent commands prevent confusion and help your dog understand what is expected of them. This unified approach makes training more effective. For example, if you teach your dog to bow using the command word 'bow', everyone in your household should use the same command word.
Do make sure everyone uses the same marker
Using the same marker, such as a clicker or a specific word, ensures consistency in your dog's training. A consistent marker helps your dog recognise when they have performed a desired behaviour, reinforcing their learning process.
Training treat don'ts
Don't use human food as treats
Avoid using human food as a treat. Many human foods are unhealthy or even dangerous for dogs. Foods like chocolate, grapes, and onions can be toxic to dogs, whilst other foods high in fat, sugar, or salt can lead to health problems like obesity or pancreatitis. Stick to treats specifically made for dogs to ensure their safety and health.
Don't over-feed your dog
Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues such as diabetes and joint problems. Be mindful of the number of treats you give and adjust your dog's regular meals accordingly. Use the feeding guide provided by the treat manufacturer to avoid overfeeding. Remember, treats should only make up a small portion of your dog's daily caloric intake. Balancing treats with a healthy diet ensures your dog remains fit and healthy whilst enjoying their rewards.
Don't deceive your dog
Never deceive your dog by pretending to have a treat or by offering a treat and then withholding it. This can break the trust between you and your dog and make training more difficult. Dogs thrive on consistency and honesty. They may become less responsive to training cues when they realise you're not truthful.
Don't punish your dog
Training should be a positive experience. Avoid punishing your dog during training sessions as it can create fear and anxiety. Negative reinforcement can damage your dog's confidence and make them less willing to participate in future training. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour. Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they perform the desired actions, creating a positive association with training.
Don't reward and then punish your dog for the same behaviour
If you reward your dog for a behaviour, don't punish them for the same behaviour later. Mixed signals can confuse your dog and hinder their learning process. For example, if you reward your dog for sitting quietly but later scold them for sitting in the same spot, they won't understand what you expect. Consistent responses help your dog learn faster and with less confusion.
Don't use training treats every time your dog performs a behaviour they have already learned
Once your dog has mastered a behaviour, gradually reduce the frequency of treats and replace them with praise or other rewards such as petting or playtime. This helps maintain the behaviour without over-reliance on treats. Continuous treat-based rewards can lead to unnecessary calorie intake and dependency on treats. Transitioning to non-food rewards keeps your dog motivated and helps sustain learned behaviours in the long term.
How many training treats can I feed my dog per day?
Many dog owners across the world feed their dog's treats on a daily basis. One survey found that 75% of dog owners in the UK feed their dog treats daily. The number of treats you can give your dog depends on their size, age, and activity level. As a general rule, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake. Always refer to the feeding guide on the treat packaging and adjust your dog's regular meals to account for the treats given during training sessions.
Is using training treats to train dogs bad?
Using treats for training is not bad when done correctly. It can be a highly effective form of positive reinforcement. The key is to use treats wisely, ensuring they are part of a balanced diet and not overused. Gradually reduce treat frequency as your dog masters behaviours, transitioning to praise or other rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to train dogs with treats or praise?
Both treats and praise have their place in dog training. Treats are excellent for teaching new behaviours and keeping your dog motivated. Praise is also important and can be used to reinforce learned behaviours. A combination of both can be very effective. Additionally, some dogs are not food-motivated and rather are motivated by toys.
What is bribing in dog training?
Bribing involves showing your dog a treat to get them to perform a behaviour, whilst rewarding involves giving the treat after the behaviour is performed. It's important to use treats as a reward rather than a bribe to ensure your dog is learning the behaviour, not just responding to the sight of the treat.
