How to Train A Dog With Treats

Dog training is an essential aspect of pet ownership, instilling discipline and fostering a deep bond between canine and human. In recent years, there's been a notable surge in the trend of using treats as positive reinforcements during these training sessions. Not just any treats, but a growing emphasis on handmade natural dog treats. These wholesome rewards not only make the learning process enjoyable but also ensure a healthy and personalized treat option for our furry friends, marrying the benefits of training with the goodness of natural ingredients.

Benefits of Using Treats in Training

Incorporating treats into dog training sessions, especially when they're handmade and natural, has revolutionized the way we approach canine education. Here’s a closer look at the myriad advantages of training dogs with treats. 

Immediate Positive Reinforcement

One of the pillars of effective dog training is immediate feedback. Dogs, like most animals, understand instant consequences better than delayed ones. When a dog performs a desired behavior and is instantly rewarded with a tasty treat, it reinforces their association between the behavior and the reward. This makes them more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. Handmade natural treats not only provide instant gratification but also ensure that the reward is healthy and devoid of harmful additives.

Strengthens Bond Between Owner and Pet

The act of giving and receiving is inherently intimate. When you hand-feed your dog a treat, especially one you've made with love and care, it strengthens the mutual trust and bond. The dog learns to associate you with positive feelings, deepening your relationship. Over time, this bond results in a more obedient and loyal canine companion who's eager to please you.

Makes Training Sessions Enjoyable for the Dog

Let’s face it – repetitive training drills can become mundane for dogs. Introducing treats, especially delicious handmade ones, turns the routine into a fun-filled game. The anticipation of a yummy reward adds an element of excitement and keeps the dog engaged and motivated. Training thus becomes less about strict discipline and more about positive reinforcement and fun. Handmade natural treats also allow the dog to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures, making the training sessions more diverse and enjoyable.

Why Choose Handmade Natural Dog Treats?

Navigating the aisles of commercial pet stores can often leave pet owners overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. Amid colorful packaging and tall claims, the genuine health and well-being of our canine companions can sometimes get overlooked. This is where the magic of handmade natural dog treats shines through.

Health Benefits

No Artificial Additives or Preservatives: One of the most compelling reasons to switch to handmade or low-fat treats for the dogs is the absence of harmful artificial additives, colors, or preservatives that many commercial brands might have. These can lead to health issues over time, from allergies to more severe ailments.

Nutrient-Rich: Natural ingredients mean a higher concentration of essential nutrients. Whether it's the protein from natural meats or vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables, you're ensuring your dog gets the best.

Sustainability and Eco-friendliness

Natural dog treats not only benefit your pet but also the environment. By choosing local, organic ingredients, you're reducing the carbon footprint and supporting sustainable farming. 

Customizable for Dietary Restrictions

Not all dogs can consume standard treats due to allergies or dietary restrictions. Handmade treats offer unparalleled flexibility. If your dog is allergic to peanut butter, you can easily omit it or find alternatives. This customization ensures that your dog doesn't miss out on the fun of having treats and remains in the best health.

Delicious and Nutritious Doggy Treats Options

So many nutritious options are available in a dog treat bakery for your furry friend. Some of the preferred flavors are:

Peanut Butter and Banana Bites

A delicious blend of smooth peanut butter and ripe bananas, these bites are an instant hit among canine buddies. The natural sweetness of bananas combined with the rich texture of peanut butter provides a taste sensation that dogs find irresistible. But beyond taste, these bites are nutrition-packed. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin C, while peanut butter offers a good dose of protein. When you hand over one of these soft, aromatic bites, you're not only rewarding your pet with something they love but also supplying them with beneficial nutrients.

Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Balls

Sweet potato stands out as one of the most nutritious and versatile ingredients for dog treats. Rich in dietary fiber and a plethora of vitamins, they can be a staple in any homemade dog treat recipe. The creamy texture and protein-packed goodness of peanut butter, makes a treat that's both tasty and filling. The Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Balls are soft, chewy, and full of flavors that dogs adore, making training sessions more motivating and pleasurable for them.

Blueberry, Cranberry & Sweet Potato Bites

A treat that's a delightful fusion of fruits and veggies. These bites, with their pop of color from blueberries and cranberries, aren't just visually appealing but are a powerhouse of nutrition. Blueberries come loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, cranberries promote urinary health, and the sweet potato base adds fiber and essential vitamins. When these ingredients come together, the result is a slightly tart, sweet, and utterly delicious treat. It's like offering your dog a mini health-packed pie, one that they would wag their tail for!

Training Techniques Using Treats

Handmade natural dog treats are powerful tools that can significantly enhance various training techniques. When used right, they can turn seemingly challenging training sessions into delightful experiences for both you and your furry friend. Here’s how to train your dog with treats.

Clicker Training

How it works: Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement training that uses a clicker—a small device that produces a distinct "click" sound. When your dog performs a desired behavior, you click the clicker and then reward them. Over time, the dog associates the click sound with doing something correctly and expects a treat as a reward.

How to incorporate treats: This is where your handmade natural treats come into play. Immediately after the click, give your dog a treat. For instance, if you're using the Peanut Butter and Banana Bites, break them into smaller pieces. This ensures that you aren't overfeeding your dog during training. The immediacy of the reward combined with the click reinforces the desired behavior. Plus, the natural treat ensures your dog is getting quality nutrition during the process.

Command-Response-Reward

Basics of the technique: As the name suggests, this technique involves giving a command, waiting for the dog to respond, and then rewarding the correct behavior. For instance, when you say "sit," and the dog sits, you immediately reward them. 

Timings of treat rewards: Timing is crucial. The reward must be immediate so that the dog associates the treat with the command and the subsequent behavior. As soon as the desired behavior is executed, reward your dog with a treat. Consider using varied treats. For example, one day use the Sweet Potato and Peanut Butter Balls, another day switch to Blueberry, Cranberry & Sweet Potato Bites. This variety keeps the dog motivated and eager to comply, knowing a tasty reward awaits.

Shaping Behavior

Rewarding incremental improvements: Shaping involves breaking down a behavior into small steps and rewarding the dog for each step they get right. For instance, if you want to teach your dog to fetch, you might first reward them for looking at the ball, then for moving towards it, and then for actually picking it up. Each of these steps is rewarded with a treat until the whole behavior is shaped. 

The role of treats in maintaining progress: As you move through the steps, treats play a pivotal role in motivating and encouraging your dog to push through to the next stage. Using handmade natural treats is beneficial as they can be tailored to size. For smaller achievements, give smaller portions of the treat, and as the behavior progresses, you can provide a whole treat. The wholesome goodness of these treats ensures your dog remains eager, knowing that not only is there a tasty reward awaiting but also one that's deliciously healthy. So, if you were wondering how to use training dog treats, these techniques can help.

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency is paramount in any form of training, and when you incorporate handmade natural dog treats into the mix, it becomes even more crucial. Here’s why:

Using the Same Treat Type

Switching between different treats during a training session can confuse your dog. By consistently using the same treat, like Peanut Butter and Banana Bites, for a specific behavior or command, your dog quickly makes the connection between the action and the reward, accelerating the training process.

Unified Approach

If you live in a multi-person household or have multiple trainers, ensure everyone is on the same page regarding which treat corresponds to which behavior. Mixed signals can muddle the training and reduce its effectiveness.

Consistent Training Times and Durations

Dogs thrive on routine. By keeping training sessions at consistent times and maintaining uniform durations, you set a rhythm that your dog anticipates. When this routine is paired with the allure of handmade treats, it creates a potent combination that can significantly enhance training outcomes.

Conclusion

In the realm of dog training, the merits of using handmade natural dog treats are unparalleled. Not only do they offer a healthier and tastier reward for our furry friends, but they also reinforce positive behaviors more effectively. The allure of fresh, nutrient-rich, and delicious treats can indeed make the training journey smoother and more enjoyable. And if you are looking for delicious treats, today's online platforms provide a treasure trove of such delectable delights ready to be delivered to your doorstep. So, embrace the power of these natural treats and watch as your dog flourishes in their training sessions. Happy training!