Clicker-training...what is the best and cheapest treat for the dog?

Question

So far we have used pieces of cheese and broken up bits of banana chips. These work well but I was wondering what other people use. For those who prepare their own liver treats, how do you do it. I want something the dog (golden retriever) will not get tired of and will be healthy for her.

Ummm ice cubes? I need something to put in the treat pouch and she will be getting more than 100 pices during the 1-hour training class plus whatever we do with her during the week.

I agree with dog-trainers comments regarding the waste of time using a clicker; I'd rather use voice commands but this is the method in the class we are paying for and others have highly recommended it. I don't see me using it much after all this is over.

Answer 1

My dogs love ice cubesso I use them in the hot months beacuse it is a great way to get extra water into them.
I also use liver treats you can just buy liver and cut it up into strips and dry in a food dehydrator and then cut into bite sized pieces.
The freezed dried stuff will keep longer.
Good luck and keep working with your dog I am sure your dog loves it and you have a better pet for the time spent training.

Answer 2

Best all-around training treats are freeze-dried liver. If you don't want to make your own, you can by it at any pet shop.

Clicker training was developed by people doing animal shows at places like Sea World. That way, anyone who worked there could get the parrot to land on his perch, or get an otter or a cat to run across the stage and do a trick.

Clicker training for dogs is a gimmick - it is no more or less effective than any other method. The clicker is meant to tell the animal that he has just performed correctly, and he will get his food treat shortly. The food is a "primary reinforcer". The clicker is a "secondary reinforcer". You waste a lot of time teaching the dog that the clicker means "good dog!" Unless you're a mute, why not just say "good dog!" when he does something right? Correct him with a stern "NO!" and a tug on the leash when he doesn't. How are you going to communicate with him if you don't have your clicker handy? What if five other people nearby are all using clickers? Your dog's going to be very confused.

Answer 3

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aNNHc

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 4

If you have a food dehydrator you can make your own treats by taking canned dog food & slicing it thin & drying it. Or you can dry it in the oven. Then, break it into small pieces. Or you can make your own chicken or turkey jerky. They sell the dehydrators at WalMart for about $20.

Or, go to www.petextras.com and check out their selection of meat treats for dogs. I buy the venison jerky. It comes looking like a stick, but is scored so you can break it into 5 or 6 pieces each. I have a dog with food allergies, so I have to be very careful about what I feed her.

Answer 5

A suggestion is not 2 use cheese, because 2 much cheese is bad 4 dogs, but u can use the yellow part of an egg, mix that up, and feed that 2 her, or some bread

Answer 6

I use Lean Pupperoni cut into small (about 1 cm) pieces, Train Me treats in the chicken flavor, and Bil Jac liver treats. Several people in my class use Cheerios or Charlie Bear's treats. Cut up turkey hot dogs are a favorite in our class too. I like to keep a combination of things in my bait bag to keep it interesting for my dog.

Good luck with the training. My dogs love to make me click. They think they have me trained! LOL!

Answer 7

Training your dog will be a huge part of your interaction with him for the first few months. Learn here https://tr.im/Oy0xT
This includes housetraining, leash training, obedience training, socialization, and problem solving. In addition to providing your dog with needed skills, this time will also be a great opportunity for you to bond with him. Take the time to really get to know your pet while training him and a loving relationship will easily develop.

Answer 8

I use hot dogs, and prefer chicken or beef dogs and go for low sodium.

A great and cheap treat is beef or lamb rolls that are sold as food subtitutes or treats. Red Barn is one brand. You might pay $5-10 for the whole roll but you can cut a ton of pea-sized treats from one roll. (I haven't ever ordered from this source but it's where I could find an example)
http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=9087

I sometimes use cheese too, but in moderation, and sometimes as a special treat for a jackpot.

Answer 9

When we showed dogs we always used chicken livers, boiled until done cut into pieces with garlic powder on them good healthy treat, just store in a zip lock bag or can be frozen as well.

Answer 10

Boil liver in a large pot until it is very done. Put it on paper towels over night in the fridge and then cube it into very small cubes and put those on a plate and microwave them. You do not have to microwave them, but then they are less icky.