High value training treats

[darga19]

Hi guys,

What do you guys use for high value training tidbits?

I've been using turkey dogs sliced like pennies at our training classes, and I think Marshall is getting a bit tired of them. I'm looking to mix it up.

We're working hard on competition heeling too, so I really need something high value!

What do you guys use?

Thanks!

[Jason L]

Obie is a peanut butter fiend. When we are working on heeling, sometimes I dipped my thumb in pb, let him sniff for a sec, and then heel away. Works pretty well and it's easy to reward him - just let him lick my thumb for a few sec after an exercise.

[lylol]

I keep an eye on the meat sales area in the store... a roast cooked up and sliced into tiny bits is very exciting for Rune. When I dont have time I have also bought one of those small cooked turkey breasts over by the hams in the meat section. For 4-5 bucks I have many days of higher value training treats without much time invested. For both I make tiny bites and freeze what I dont immediately use in training session sized baggies.

COSTCO type clubs have those big bags of string cheese that I cube into tiny bites... my other dogs find that high value, Rune is less impressed. I also found a great freeze dried salmon dog treat that is a bit stinky (which the dogs like) but small and not messy at all to handle... and makes a good change up when you want something special...Google on Wildside Salmon

everyday training I use the meat rolls from Natural Balance... most of my dogs think that is great.

[Tbarrios333]

I used to use Hotdogs cooked in the microwave but Denali didn't go crazy over those.
I found some stinky treats called Wellness just for puppies and she loves them. There's about 50, quarter sized pieces in the bag. I cut each of the treats into 6-9 pieces. (Took a while...)
She also loves American cheese, but it melts while i'm outside in 90 degree weather and is too messy for me, so I don't use it often.
Honey ham (Or any type of ham really) from the deli is another that my all my dogs like.

Never used those Natural Balance rolls, I might give them a try too! I've been curious ever since I saw them at Petco.

[Legend14]

I have used only Natural Balance rolls (lamb and rice) cut up into small chunks for years now and all my dogs go nuts over them. I only use them for training and they have yet to get tired of them.

[Kayla's Dad]

The two at the top of my list"

Bake chicken breast
Natural Balance rolls
String cheese (Though not on warm/hot days!)

I use other lesser value treats.

You want to identify a couple of treats to use as high value and then mix them up so the dog keeps his interest and doesn't get bored/conditioned to one or the other. Of course with my two, I think anything that can go into their tummies they would consider high value.

Peanut butter is great too, but I keep that for the "pay attention to me and not that other dog running fast crazy around the course and close to you!" work.

[bmass01]

I also use turkey dogs. Dakota started getting tired of them. I tried little chunks of chedder cheese which he loves but man are they messy! Now I cut up a turkey dog and a few little tidbits of cheese and mix them up so he never knows what he will get.

[darga19]

I will have to try those Natural Balance rolls.

They're available at Petco or the like?

I also will mix it up...mix a baggie of sliced turkey dogs and string cheese chunks...he likes both but I'm just looking for something new.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Natural Balance rolls are great. Any place that sells NB food should have them, including Petco. REALLY high value treats I've used for the most distracting environments are meatballs (cooked frozen meatballs are available in bags at Costco & Trader Joes) or peanut butter in a squeeze tube. But usually I use NB rolls, Zuke's Mini Naturals, Yummy Chummies (salmon flavor treats), Solid Gold Jerkey, and Plato treats. Most of them need to be cut up in advance, the Zukes are the only ones that are the right size, but other than the NB roll, they don't need refrigeration.

[marylou]

I use a "mixed bag" of treats - cut up hotdogs, cut up string cheese, oyster crackers, mini cheddar cheese fish crackers and cherrios. I put them in a baggie, shake them up and the dogs don't know what they are going to get! They LOVE the fish crackers.

How about cat food? It comes in very small pieces, and pretty stinky (IMO).