When you train your dog, there is no doubt that you will need treats to reward him for his hard work. But certain questions often arise about the treats we use while training. This article answers some of those questions.
1. What is the ideal size of treats used in training?
The size needs to be one that the dog or puppy can eat in two or three chews. So, the treat size is directly related to the size of the dog. A good rule of thumb is that, even for a medium-sized dog like a Beagle, the treat should be about the size of the top joint of your little finger.
2. Exactly when in the training process should you give the treats?
It depends on the training method you are using. If you are using a clicker or a short word like ‘yes’ to mark the required behaviour, the treat can be given a few seconds after the marker. However, if you are not using a clicker or a ‘yes’ to mark the behaviour, the treat must be given at the exact moment that the dog or puppy performs the behaviour, so that he realises that what he is doing at that moment is the behaviour you are rewarding.
3. What are good treats to give?
The treat can be anything the dog or puppy likes. It is very important to make sure that your puppy actually likes what you think he likes! You also need treats that can be broken up into small enough pieces, so that your dog doesn’t stop what he is doing in order to eat the treat.
Normally, the food you feed him at home is not rewarding enough to be used for training. You have to increase the reward in places of high distraction – like at a dog school or on a walk. If your dog is on a special diet, you need to learn to make home-made treats, using what he is allowed to eat. For example, if the food has a wet version, you can cut small slices and bake them in the oven, so that you can break the slices up. Often, wet treats are of more value – things like cooked chicken and liver bread – as they smell good. They also don’t dry out your dog’s mouth during a training session.
4. What types of treats should rather be avoided?
It is best to avoid salty treats – things like biltong and dry wors – because they make your dog thirsty. Again, avoid treats that your dog needs to chew more than twice.
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