Dogs are very greedy animals and will do anything to get a treat. It is an opportunity to proceed to their positive education by using treats for dogs. How do you do it? The importance of training a pet becomes clear. You’ll notice in this article that it’s not counterproductive to reward your dog with a few natural, educational treats. Follow our top recommendations for learning how to train your dog with the right treats.
Why educate your pet with dog treats?
Positive training is a way to teach your dog the right attitudes. Positive methods such as dog treats are recommended for this purpose. They are a simple way to maintain and build an emotional bond with your dog. In fact, dogs have a hard time resisting the call of a treat. They remember the pleasure they get.
Thanks to their organoleptic properties, treats have qualities and virtues that help the animal’s well-being and health. They can be used to help a dog find its way back to its bowl if it has lost its appetite after an illness. This process is a precious help when taking medication. The sociability of the animal towards other animals and people can also be improved with treats as rewards. The dog receives treats if it does not jump, bark or remain calm with children, elderly people or strangers. With this technique, a better relationship between owner and dog can be established, moving away from the outdated traditional methods.
Real pleasures are shared between the master and his dog. The benevolent and non-violent education with treats improves the listening and the obedience of the dogs. Moreover, thanks to treats, the authority of the master is asserted more easily, which is not the case with the violent and brutal method which leaves emotional after-effects on the dog. He follows the rules out of fear of beatings and punishments, not out of cooperation.
The positive approach on the other hand is more beneficial. It encourages the dog to do the right thing and rewards him for it. Training with treats takes into account the principles of positive reinforcement and negative punishment. The dog is put in better conditions to learn, to follow the rules and especially to please its owner. Treats are a good motivator. The animal becomes more obedient, fulfilled and happy. The interest of treats lies in their rarity. For dogs, the pleasure is quickly multiplied when treats are given sparingly.
What are the advantages of natural dog treats?
Natural dog treats are distinguished by their characteristics from an educational point of view, but also from a health and hygiene point of view. Thus, they have important nutritional contributions. They contain calcium and natural minerals that are essential for the animal’s well-being. They are without chemical additives and recommended for the oral hygiene of dogs. Some dog owners use them as a food supplement or just to maintain the good dental hygiene of their companions, since their mechanical action on the teeth induces a form of cleaning. In fact, they help fight against the formation of tartar on the teeth and plaque.
That said, given their additional caloric intake, they should be served to the four-legged friend in moderation. It is necessary to adjust the dose of treats to avoid the risk of making your pet obese. Therefore, there are a few things to consider when choosing treats. These include age, health, weight, and pet preferences. Sugar-free and fat-free treats are highly recommended. In addition, special attention is required in the choice of their size to avoid the risk of choking. It is necessary to adapt the treats to the animal’s mouth.
The amount of dog treats should not exceed 10% of the daily food intake. Veterinarians expressly recommend respecting the number of calories your dog takes in daily, at the risk of making him overweight or obese.
Example: Due to his age and weight, if the dog’s energy needs are equivalent to 1600 calories of food per day, his treats should not exceed 160 calories.
This is an indicative example that should be adapted to your pet and on veterinary advice.
When should I reward my pet?
There are several situations to reward your pet. In principle, rewards can be given for cleanliness and barking. The same is true when learning to walk on a leash. The owner’s encouragement and treats are used to let the dog know that his good behavior is appreciated.
However, in order to successfully train your dog, it is important to give him natural treats at the right time. There must be a good reason for the reward. Giving treats at the wrong time or for no reason will have serious consequences for the dog’s education. In such a context, the treat would have no value for the animal. However, he must link the reward to a good action. His bad behavior is increased tenfold if he gets a treat at the wrong time or in spite of a mistake.
Introduce him to the whole antler to gnaw on, which he will chew for hours on end to his delight.
Furthermore, the treat should be given when the dog’s bottom is on the ground, and the use of the reward should be spaced out in time. The owner must make sure that this is a moment of complicity between him and his dog. However, their use requires a certain number of precautions:
- Only use natural treats when you have a dog;
- Make sure that the size of the dog matches the size of the treat so that it does not choke on it;
- Choose treats that are low in fat and sugar;
- Make sure that treats such as cowhide bones or pig ears are not sharp;
- Always seek the advice of a dog trainer or veterinarian.
Treats are a must when you have a dog. They can be used as a training tool or a simple treat. They play an important role in the relationship between dog and owner. Dog treats are a good alternative to industrial products.
