Training Treats

[LaRositaMonita]

I spoke on the phone with my older brother a little earlier this afternoon (who got a VERY sweet pug about a month ago and on Thursday put him to good work in asking his girlfriend of 7 years to marry him! ). He said that pug training is going very well, especially because he and Girlfriend are using a treat that came highly recommended to them: Cheerios. Te recommendation came from members of a pug forum similar to GoCorgi. Apparently, Cheerios are small, cheap, taste pretty good to puppies, and don't have much fat or caloric content, which means you can feed a lot of them during training without worrying.

Is there a similar magic Corgi treat for training? Obviously a Corgi is a bit bigger than a pug, so I wonder if something as small as a Cheerio will be motivational. What treats did you use while training your puppy?

[LittlePonzo]

Absolutely! We used cheerios, mini-goldfish, and corn chex all the time with Ponzo. Our breeder actually tipped us off to it, she said she always used some chedder cracker for training that was made for dogs. But she told us, don't even bother getting those because it is more cost effective and better quality to buy human grade food. She said just go get some cheddar goldfish. We buy the mini-goldfish cause they are much smaller than regular goldfish. But definitely invest, Ponzo about has a heart attack when he sees me open the cereal cabinet, even if it is only for my morning bowl!!

[glencorgi]

Another one who has used Cheerios for training treats. Rice cakes broken up or rice chex are also good and lo-cal. Ponzo's list is a good one to keep as a reference.

Debbie

[milles2]

I also got Tucker, as a pup, cherishing cut up pieces of carrots and apples as treats.

As the "tainted food" seems to be moving the spotlight to treats, I have decided to go back to carrots and apples.

Seriously... I am very careful about the kibble I choose but not at all careful about treats. If the dogs love 'em I don't even read the ingredients (Beggin Strips, Liver Treats, etc).

That is going to stop.

I will say when it comes to Agility I cut up fresh deli meat ( a local market sells the ends).

[LaRositaMonita]

Whoohoo! Glad to know that cheap people food works! The cheddar Goldfish and the crunchy carrots are also great ideas, thanks

[IzFro]

I was at the Feed Supply store today and made a new treat discovery. They're called KONG Stuff'n TOT's (Treat of Trainers), and so far the dogs have gone nuts over them! They're 1 calorie per treat and about the size of half a cheerio, but they must have a lot of flavor. Another plus is that they're wheat and gluten free (the only ingredients are organic beef liver and milo grain) so they don't upset Izzy's tummy.

Hope that helps

[Chip's Mom]

I have been buying the natures recipe training treats for Chip & Dale. They seem to really like them and they are very small. I am like Susan and buy any kind of treat if they like them but not any more. Fresh fruit and veggies or Nature Recipes brand. It doesn't contain any wheat gluten.

[Jeni D]

Bonnie
I recently bought Dudley and Maya those same treats. I bought the small bottle since it fits very nicely in my purse and I can pull it out to use whenever they start to get distracted if we are in public.

I, too, have become more aware about what I've been feeding them since the recall.

[Michael Romanos]

For agility training and competition treats, I give Taylor small cut up pieces of a very good brand of chicken dog roll. All dogs just love this food and Taylor's travel bag has been raided twice now by groups of dogs who know where the food is stashed. When I go to agility I am sometines surrounded by dogs wanting one of Taylor's treats. Taylor usually has some of this roll in his daily dinner. The immediate past Corgi I had, this was his staple diet and he lived in great health til he was over 15.

[milles2]

I'm laughing Michael over Taylor's treats being raided.

We have a wonderful Aussie in class and the moment he comes in the building he looks for me. He knows I am a sucker and will give him fresh roast beef or turkey.

Tucker also knows exactly who carries what treats. He does a lot of pocket diving.

[Chip's Mom]

They called Chip the troublemaker in obedience class because I give him prime rib, chicken, roast beef or whatever really good stuff I have leftover and the dogs loved him and me. On a side note, I had to buy bread today and every loaf I looked at has wheat gluten in it. Scary.

[milosmom]

Cheerios are great! I got that tip from other pet therapy people from the group I belong too. They are small, easy to carry around, and dogs seem to think they are fabulous. The goldfish tip is a great idea too, we have a Pepperidge Farm outlet nearby so I know where i'm going this week.....Milo is rejoicing.