Treats, how often and what do you give your Doodle?

[Libby, Rufus & Jacoby]

My two doodles are treat freaks. One trip to the bank was all it took to know that a treat would be coming out of the drive-up window! It's gotten so that every time I put on the blinker they come to attention hoping they are somewhere where a treat will be served. They also get treats at home a couple of times a day - sometimes an ice cube, but more often a Buddy Biscuit or a Solid Gold Jerky Treat. Is this too much?

[Corrine H.]

Our doodle is bottomless-he will eat anything and doesn't seem to be self limiting. Our trainer told us that even extremely tiny bits of treats can be used effectively to train, and reward. She said the small size is irrelevant, and to get the most out of food driven dogs you need to treat very often. She suggested that too much beef gives diarrhea. She recommended little bits of Costco vegetarian meatballs. They are healthy, and can be fed in larger quantities without issue. Our dog Tucker is crazy about them.
I was told another way to gauge the overall volume you feed is to monitor the dogs stool. If it is loose, usually means to much food, if very dry and hard- too little intake. Hope this helps...

[Libby, Rufus & Jacoby]

Thanks for your response. I try to give small amounts, so guess I am on the right track, just need to male the rteats much smaller.

[GBK]

Our pups looooove the Chicken Jerky Treats too :) The neighbors hear crazy me yelling "chicken" out into the yard when they stubbornly won't come in from barking etc.

I break them up small when I use them as bribes :0 I also like to use kibble that is different than their everyday kibble. You can usually pick up samples of all kinds of high quality kibble samples from most dog places you visit. I get them at the dog wash, the vets office, and all the dog events around town that give samples from their booths. I stock up when I can and just have a jar that I can grab a few out of when we practice our obedience.

[Richard Crowe]

Holly loves just about anything. However, I most often give her ice cubes which she seems to like just as well as the traditional type treats and there is no worry about overdoing the ice cubes as treats.

[Adina P]

I like that they are trained to the blinker! LOL
My Rosco got lots of treats for puppy training but we also used his kibble as treats and I would train him at meal time by giving him parts of his meal little by little for doing sits, downs, etc.

As he got older and I no longer used treats in training, we give them on occasion when he comes in from outside particularly quickly or during/after dremeling his nails or to get him into the bathtub.

But overall...it's not very common for my doods to get "treats" any more. I haven't bought any in months and the treat jar is full of kibble, which they are thrilled to get!

What I have USED in the past: freeze dried liver, cut up hot dogs into pea sized pieces, cut up cheese, Old Mother Hubbard brand, Cheerios, miniature Goldfish crackers (the human kids' snack), carrots, ice cubes, you name it!

[13syyoq0z0pvg]

I give my doodles treat but they are holistic/natural or they love frozen holistic green beans...It took them a few times to get use to them but they love them and I like to keep my doodles lean since they are working dogs and need to keep in shape. I also give them fish oil on a daily basis...They think that's a great treat as well. They also love ice cubes. Love those doodles...

[Tamara & Giada]

Yes, if they are real young and traning,their kibble is the best...............won't upset their tummies, and it is healthy:)

When they get older almost anything in moderation:)

[1b6zugvqzi1f1]

My puppy trainer uses Light String cheese. (Just a small piece plucked off the string). All the dogs in our class, including my doodle love it.

[Patty Barnes]

The only "treats" I offer are pats and kisses. That was what iwas used in obedience classes I attended, and I follow it to this day. None of my dogs beg--I don't know if this is a result of an "emotional" treat or not.

[Libby, Rufus & Jacoby]

Wish I could have done the pat/kisses reward. Kind of hard when your better half doesn't agree! Rufus and Jacoby don't beg, just are aware of when a treat is imminent!

[Patty Barnes]

That sweet husband of yours--I'd forgive him whatever!

[Libby, Rufus & Jacoby]

I do!