Can I train my dog with bacon?

Question

I have a 7-8 month old cockapoo, he's really sweet sometimes, but most of the time he's very controlling- probably because we weren't consistnet when we trained him when we first got him.
Now I'd like to train him to sit, stay, and come but he doesn't respond to dog treats, he likes them, he'll eat them, but he doesn't come running when you call him. I used bacon yesterday and it's worked wonders, he comes right away and stays for MINUTES before he breaks focus...
if he get a little less than 1 piece a day is that going to hurt him? He's very active, and my kids play with him for about 1-2 hours a night at least, plus a 30 minute walk... is bacon a good training tool? If not- do you think he'll like beggin' bits? (my previous dogs did NOT, but they liked milkbones...)

Answer 1

Well, feed it the dog type of bacon, not the type you eat.

Answer 2

Bacon is OK, in very small amounts every now and then. It is very fatty and greasy, though. Try pieces of sliced sandwich meat or cheese. Most dogs LOVE those and they are a little healthier than bacon. Also, remember you should be giving a VERY TINY treat for a reward. He should be able to gobble it up in a second, not have to settle down to eat it and get distracted by his reward. It should be quick and YUMMY. Also use praise as a reward as well as treats and then start alternating between praise and food rewards so he will perform his tricks without you having a treat in your hand at all times. You can also teach him to associate the treat with a clicker and this will make training him a cinch.

Answer 3

No. It won't kill him, but with all the salt isn't healthy. You can try beggin strips, but bacon or any human food will make him a consistent begger. If you really want him trained you should try pet smart classes. They are about $100.00 for A 6-8 week stretch of classes wich is all the classes you'll ever have to take him to. It seems pricey but, they always work, and I think it's worth it! They will teach you how to train and reward him. A normal class teaches sit, stay,heal,and a few more.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I use the beggin strips (look and smell just like bacon) to train my mini dachshund. She just loves them and the minute she even hears the crumpling of the bag she drops what she is doing and comes to see what I want her to do to get it. I only give them to her in small bits (like the size of a dime) since she is a mini and only weighs 4 lbs. and still a baby. Bacon is sooo bad for animals (most table food is) and even in small amounts should not be given to your dog. Keep him healthy by giving him only treats and food that is made for dogs. You may have to buy several types until you find the one he likes but it is well worth it when you do. Good luck!

Answer 5

Get Beggin' Strips. That's a doggie treat that tastes like bacon.

People bacon tends to have a lot of salt in it, so you don't really want to feed that to your cockapoo. And meanwhile- be consistent and make sure he understands you're the boss.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You can train a dog with anything, especially meat. They love food :) But bacon has alot of fat in it and dogs don't have good metabolism and a couple peices of bacon could serious mean 3-4 pounds, it could also get a heart attck from bacon.

Answer 7

Bacon is a great training tool, use pieces about the size of a dime.

Answer 8

I dont give my pup people food but if he likes bacon their are treats out there like beggin strips that look and smell like real bacon, good luck!!

Answer 9

What Tigger said. Beggin' Strips.

Arf.

Answer 10

bacon is good..... its yummy and if it works then use it!! your dog will die eventually and a little bacon isn't going to hurt anything.