Training Treats

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

So I was at Petco yesterday, getting odds and ends that I know I'll need. I went to pick up a small bottle of training treats when I remembered the discussions on pet food, which then made me remember that puppies have extremely sensitive stomachs...

Anyway, what kinds of training treats are appropriate for young puppies? (8 weeks old and older) I saw two kinds that looked ok (small and soft) but I don't know if either are ok for puppies... Thanks!

[Chris & Boys]

I buy Zukes training treat and freeze dried liver - he loves the liver the most. Champagne taste you know.

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

I buy Authority moist Liver snacks. They do have wheat and corn in them, but Abby just loves them - and I take 1 and cut it in 3 pieces. She has been having these treats since she was 8 weeks old and they have never bothered her. All the dogs at the dog park will LOVE you!!! LOLOLOL I found that one out yesterday!!

[nonnie browne]

I also mix it up and use freeze dried liver (break up the big pieces) and zukes - all flavors. Zukes can be divided for really young pups. If I am browning ground turkey, I will sometimes use that as well. Keeping the treats interesting helps keep training interesting. When fed throughout the day for periodic training, I have had no stomach issues. When going to evening class, I hold off on dinner or feed very very light dinner to keep stomach upset down and keep him from being too full and too tired.

[Holly Southall]

I just use Angel's dog food as a training treat. I know everybody says to use something different, but she loves it. She is just as excited to eat her dog food as she is anything else. We also avoid the whole sensitive stomach issue. So long as it is still working and she responds well, it is very easy and inexpensive.

[Tamara & Giada]

Yup, I have always used their puppy kibble........I know it's healthy and won't bother the stomach :)

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

Oh. So does the sensitive stomach issue only come into play when eating large quantities of food, like at meal time? I've seen the Authority treats. I was about the get them, actually, but I thought I ought to check. I've never seen the Zuke's brand before. Is it sold in Petsmart/Petco? And I heard that cheese is a winner for treats too...true?

Good heavens! It seems like I am getting so much contradictory information! Parvo is dangerous, but socialization is crucial. Puppy pads are good, puppy pads are bad. The wire crates are dangerous, the wire crates are better than the other kind because of more ventilation and no tipping... clicker training is best, play training is best... Peanut butter is fine, peanut butter is not fine...

Thank God I can ask my million and seven questions! lol Thanks for all the help. =0)

[Denise, Winnie, and AngelAbby]

LOLOL Everyone has their own opinions and what works for one may not work for someone else. That's what makes DK so great - it gives you different options to try.
I didn't socialize Abby until she had all of her shots...
I have never used a puppy pad - I wanted NO reason for a dog to feel it was OK to potty in the house...
I have used both crates and Abby is now in a wire crate - it is cooler and she loves it - for a smaller puppy tho I think the plastic ones are better...
ANY training that works is great, and again each dog is different. I am open to try anything to make for a better, well behaved, well adjusted pet. If one option doesn't work, I just move on to something else. The owner knows their pup best and knows what will work and what won't. It's all trial and error - each dog is different - and each owner is different. You find what works for you and yours...
(and Abby absolutely loves peanut butter!! heehee)

[nonnie browne]

LOLOL I hear your confusion! I agree with everything Denise says in her reply. Thumbs up on clicker training, thumbs up on wire crates, thumbs down on indoor pee pads (no way no how) two thumbs up on peanut butter thumbs down on cheese. I have raised four goldens and two corgis over the years (yes I am an old lady) . My vet said that one piece of cheese is like us eating a double whopper with fries. ugh. You can buy zukes at petco - at least in my area.

Agree to do what works for you and your dog - this is a great place to compare notes before your spend money!

[Lia]

Are any and all types of cheese bad? Is cottage cheese also bad, because I've heard that it is a great additive to food to entice your dog to eat.

[Doodle Kisses]

I have used cheese for all dogs...it doesn't have to be a large amount. And you can cut it up TINY and mix it with other treats for one training session.

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

I started off with Cherrios, they are small and a puppy can eat a 100 and it will not effect his appeite. I have little bowls of them all over the house so there is always a treat near by. I save the really good treats for really good things like calling him back in the house after potty and walking on a loose leash. For those I use the Petco Treat Bar treats, the pretzels and the animal crackers because they are easy to break into small pieces.

[Lynne B]

I have always used charlie bears and for a high value treat, tiny pieces of freeze dried liver