Having a dog is a joyous experience for any family. They’re adorable, loyal, lovable, and simply irresistible. Whether you have a puppy or a well-aged dog, teaching them new tricks and stuff is always fun. And one of the most effective ways to motivate or encourage them to learn is to give them dog treats.
With so many choices for dog treats in the market today, it could feel overwhelming on which ones to get for your fur baby. After all, it should be something that can also meet their expectations and taste. If your current dog treat isn’t enough to inspire them to perform, you should know how to find the perfect training treat. Aside from reading the best dog reviews, it’s beneficial to know what factors to consider when shopping for your dog treat.
- Consider Treat Size
Small treats or those that can be broken up easily will be consumed by your dog and won’t distract them. This is pretty safe to be consumed no matter how small and dainty your pup is. You should find an easy treat for them to nibble on, especially if they’re just growing their teeth. Small treats also reduce upset stomachs, allowing your dog to receive more treats in one sitting.
It’s essential to keep a training session moving with small dog treats. Pea-sized treats are also suitable for large dogs. When you check out different treat sizes, some are too large and may not be easy to eat for your dog. There’s an option to cut them into half or into tiny pieces to make it easier for them to consume. Your dog won’t mind even if you give them small pieces, as long as you reward them for every performance they do.
You can also give your dog smaller treats, which are gentler on their physique. Giving them large portions could lead to obesity, making it harder for them to do physical activities. Smaller portions mean fewer calories consumed, which is safer for any dog. These treats should be enough to urge them to continue training with you. Also, you can consider enrolling them in a puppy training class if you feel that they’re ready for it.
- Administer A Dog Taste Test
Set up a treat taste test for your pup to help you choose the training treats that your pet will enjoy. The first essential step is to ensure that your dog isn’t allergic to any of the ingredients stated on the dog treat. Choose a few that they’ll probably be interested in and conduct a taste test.
Consider the protein type if you want a dog treat that contains this ingredient. It could be beef, pork, fish, lamb, or other non-meat dog treats containing a great deal of protein. As for the texture, you can discover what your dog prefers by going for something dry, a bit moist, or wet. Pick tasty treats that you can easily give to your dog when you’re picking out taste test options. Let them choose among the different treats.
You can let your dog choose from the taste test by putting the treats in different dog dishes. Put out just a few pieces of each kind. Let them do a sniff test and observe how they react to what they smell and see. Chances are they’d lick on it and get a little taste at first. Eventually, discover which ones they’ll nibble on and continue to eat for some time. That should be the perfect dog treat for your dog.
Another alternative way to conduct this is to hold the treats in your hands and let them taste them from your bare hands. Change out treats, rotating existing treats with different alternative treats, to help you determine which one they like most or don’t fancy at all.
- Prioritize Health
One of the most common things owners do is feed human food for their dogs. While some are healthy and safe, it’s always best to stick to dog treats instead. Table scraps or hot dogs might sound tasty, but you should pick a dog-specific snack that comes with health and nutrient benefits. It’s advisable to ask your vet what nutritional values to consider when shopping for a good dog treat.
Always prioritize your dog’s health. While you make sure the flavor is spot on, it should also contain all the vitamins and minerals they need. Identify ingredients that you might recognize would be suitable for your dog, including chicken, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Don’t go for anything that comes with artificial flavors.
Consider getting multivitamin dog chews.
Conclusion
Depending on your dog’s preferences, you can use different treats when training them. The key is finding something that’s easy for them to consume, healthy, and preferable for their taste. Dog treats will always be an effective way to train them and encourage them to learn with you. You’ll train more effectively if you know what your dog likes and what motivates them.
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