To treat or not to treat?

[Katie & Charlie]

Our breeder mentioned on her website how doodles are known for having sensitive tummies and therefore we should never give them treats.... to use a bit or two of their regular kibble.  She does say we can give him a little piece of cheese a couple of times a day.  I'm just finding it odd that it's not ok to give them ANY treats/biscuits no matter what brand or what's in them but it's ok to give them American cheese??  I've noticed while perusing the past discussions that most people here to give treats from reputable companies.  Just wanted to get some opinions on what our breeder said.  There's a great natural dog food store that just opened right on my way home and they carry all of the organic, high quality dog foods and treats.  I was thinking of stopping in.  We ordered our Acana from a website but I'm excited to have a store right in town now!  Thanks!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Personally I think it is okay to treat.  However, we buy our treats from a place that makes them fresh and homemade. I would say it's up to you and to use your own judgement.  How could you not give those sweet doodle faces a treat :)

[Katie & Charlie]

Kendra, you read my mind!!  He's been such a good pup so far and I want to reward him with something other than kibble that he already gets to eat 3 times/day.  :)

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I tink it is ok to treat.  Haley never has any stomach issues with treats.  I give him Charlee Bear Dog Treats on a regular basis (I keep them in my jeans pocket all the time.) as a everyday reward for things.  I also bake treats for him as high value treats along with occasional bits cheese.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do not agree with not giving your doodle any high quality commercial treats, but not yet. You should not change a single thing about your puppy's diet for at least two weeks after he comes home from the breeder, for several reasons. Not food, not treats, nothing. No matter what the breeder was giving for food and treats, stick with that, and then if all seems well with your pup's digestive system, proceed very slowly, and do not change or introduce more than one thing at a time.

We have a lots of good treat suggestions here in TFG, which you can find by doing some searches in the FG discussions. So for now, look through the discussions for treat ideas, but don't make any changes yet.

[Katie & Charlie]

Thanks for that tidbit.  So far we haven't changed a thing as hard as it's been since the breeder had him on IAMS!  :-(  I have the Acana in the pantry ready to go but am going to give him about 3 weeks before beginning the transition.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perfect! When you get ready to begin, don't hesitate to ask for advice on transitioning, or you may just want to do a search in the FG discussions. The main thing will be proportions, because chances are the Acana is more nutrient dense than the Iams formula, and so you cannot just replace equal amounts and keep the same calorie level.

[Katie & Charlie]

Will do.  Thanks!

[Diane Margetts]

Dakota has never had stomach issues. We do give him occasional treats.

Currently the treat we buy is one that we discovered at a Sportsman's Trade Show. The treats are called "Goofy Dog Gourmet Dog Treats. They are made and sold by a very small family business in the Los Angeles-- they don't even have a website. The treats contain all natural people-edible ingredients and Dakota loses his mind (in a good way!) when he smells one AND Dakota is normally a "treat snob"!

If anyone is interested I'll provide more information . . .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks Diane, we'd love the info. We're always interested in high-quality dog treats here!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When your puppy is ready, I think treats once in a while are fine.  I will say though that when Guinness was going through a lengthy episode of IBS, he was not allowed to have any treats.  We have him on a different diet now, and he is doing well, so he's back to getting treats.  I use only high quality grain free treats.  Here's a link to what I think are the best treats around.  They are homemade by one of our own DKrs......http://www.doggiebgoode.com/.  My guys love these threats, and I know they are made with love and the very best ingredients.

[Lori]

I say -  treat away! Of course only a little per day & always use good quality snacks! 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Once your pup has fully settled in, of course it's fine (as others say!). 

I treat with Zukes, animal crackers (long story but they've been okayed by vet for my chihuahua), apples, carrots and bananas. Peri will do anything for fruit.