Training treats problem

[daemon]

Hi

I have a 9 week old puppy - Izu, and have a strange problem, in that he does not really like treats. When we got him at 8 weeks, I started with saying his name and giving him a treat to load his name as something positive etc. He eats the treat...most of the time...but does not really go crazy for it, more like ok, if you want I will eat it, type of thing. Went to his first puppy class this weekend, and the trainer said I should just be patient and keep on working with the treats with him.

I have tried just normal kibble, hot dogs, apple slices, salami(but I think this might be too salty for his health)

Anyone have any ideas? it's like he just does not have a drive for treats, and I always try and teach him before he get's his food.

[KZoppa]

There are several actual training treats you can try. its really a trial and error kind of thing with some dogs. Some dogs dont bother with treats, they'd prefer a toy as their reward or a nice affectionate pat on the shoulders with a good boy!

Training treats i use vary.

Petco Liver Dog Training Treats at PETCO

Bil-Jac Little Jacs Liver Treats at PETCO

These come in several different flavors...
Charlee Bear Dog Treats with Cheese & Egg at PETCO

Crazy Pet Train-Me Training Reward Dog Treats at PETCO

Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers Dog Treats at PETCO

Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats at PETCO

Pet Botanics Training Reward Treats - Treats & Rawhide - Dog - PetSmart



I usually will go through a whole bag and cut them into smaller peices because i personally feel they're a bit bigger than necessary and the smaller peices still reward appropriately but the bag also lasts longer.

The above are just some ideas. Most i have sitting in my dog cabinet for variation and i have some designated for when i go work with the shelter dogs. Good luck figuring out what your pup wants! treats or toys as his reward....

[Cassidy's Mom]

Does he eat his meals?

[daemon]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

Does he eat his meals?

Eventually yes. He eats like a quater of the food in his bowl, drinks some water, walk around and play, go back eats some more, etc. until most of it is finish. There is usually a bit left in his bowl.

I have him on Royal canin maxi junior. Three meals a day, 1cup in the morning, 1 cup the afternoon, and a quater cup late afternoon. It's based him being 30kg when he is grown up, he's probarly going to be bigger, but the breeder said I should feed according to that and then based on how he is picking up weight increase etc.

It's almost like he does not have a food drive.

[KZoppa]

Train him when he is hungry. could help a great deal as he'll be extra interested in the treats because he's hungry.

ETA: It is very possible you've got a pup who doesnt have a food drive. Its not unheard of.

[daemon]

Originally Posted by KZoppa

Train him when he is hungry. could help a great deal as he'll be extra interested in the treats because he's hungry.

ETA: It is very possible you've got a pup who doesnt have a food drive. Its not unheard of.

Just made my above post before I saw this. Almost seems like it.
Will search the forums a bit and see if I find anything about food drive.

It's a bit of a issue as he does not really have a high drive for toys as well...
But he's super energetic, and run around and sniffs everything, and runs and walk behind me all the time, and loves to just explore all over.

So now, how would I built for example a high ball drive for fetch, as a example, just by petting and sayings like "good boy" etc?

[KZoppa]

Originally Posted by daemon

Just made my above post before I saw this. Almost seems like it.
Will search the forums a bit and see if I find anything about food drive.

It's a bit of a issue as he does not really have a high drive for toys as well...
But he's super energetic, and run around and sniffs everything, and runs and walk behind me all the time, and loves to just explore all over.

So now, how would I built for example a high ball drive for fetch, as a example, just by petting and sayings like "good boy" etc?

honestly i have no answer for you there. My last GSD was extremely ball driven naturally. She could just go and go and go but my current girl doesnt have much drive for anything. She is content to lay around all day or go for walks. She's got no interest in fetch. Treats excite her to no end but teaching her a new trick even with treats has recently become extremely difficult.

Really you just need to find out what makes your pup tick, which in some cases can be extremely difficult with some dogs. Some dogs are food driven. Some toy drive. Some are easily praise driven. Our boy Riley gets excited and grabs his leash. Thats his thing.

I do hope others with more experience in this type of situation chime in for you. I had a foster who had even less desire to do anything. She wasnt food motivated, toy motivated.... nothing got her excited for anything. Her excitement was car rides. Didnt help with training though lol. Best advice i have for you is to keep working with your pup and try to figure out what motivates him to want to work. Its possible your pup may become more motivated as he gets a bit older.

[abby]

I used bil jacs and every other treat i thought he would like now i just buy some cheap steak or chicken and cook it up. The only treats i buy now are freeze dried tripe or beef heart.

[cowboy17]

I use cheedar cheese, small squares about the size of a pea.
that is combined with pieces of leftover steak, chicken or porkchops.

Michael Ellis - training with food is a good video. Check on youtube or Leerburg.com for it.

[kiya]

I have a dog that won't take treats, unless it's freeze dried liver treats (very expensive) or my home made liver brownies. All of my dogs go for them. Very easy to make and cheap. Let me know if you want the recipe.