Re: DOG TREATS: What kind, how much and how often?

[Einstein's Dad!]

Hi Guys, these are supposedly really good as reward mechanisms and healthy too -well depending on the brand. What do you give, how often do you give them and how much?

Thanks,
Roby (Einstein's Dad)

[Dekka]

Well as I am in canada I am not sure what brands you have. I make my own with liver often.

How often depends on why. I reward frequently with small treats when training. (a treat for correctly performed behaviours) And sometimes just cause I love my dog.

[vanillasugar]

I try to have at least one "jerky" type treat and one "cookie" type treat in my cupboard. Often I have quite a variety. For training I use something quite small, or something easy to break up, and soft (so it can be eaten quickly and we can move on). Wellness Wellbites, Zukes Mini Naturals, Ambrosia Bites, and Benny Bullies are favourites for training.

For cookies, I just watch the ingredients the way I would for food, and pick whatever looks good. Currently we have Northern Biscuit cookies and Canidae Snap Biscuits in the cupboard.

I don't know what's available to you in the Philippines, but figured I'd throw some brand names out there just incase.

[BostonBanker]

I keep "convenient" treats like Zuke's or freeze-dried body parts (tongue, hearts, jerky, tripe, etc) in my training bag. I also go the more economical-but-inconvenient route of buying things like chicken breast, cooking them, and cutting them into treat-sized pieces. I'll also pick up the cheap end cuts of deli meat and cheeses at the grocery store. I'll spend an hour or so in front of the TV cutting everything up into teeny pieces, throw a handful of the mix into small ziplock baggies, and freeze the lot. Then I just keep on thawed bag in the fridge at a time and always have high-quality, highly desirable treats available.

[PoodleMommy]

I have Zukes, Salmon or PB which I use for training, they are small and easy to chew. I try to do at least a short 5-10 minute training session per day where they may get 5 or more Zukes.

I have freeze dried Sweet Potatoes which the dogs love, they are long strips and I usually give them 1 or so a day sometime in the middle of the day when they start looking longingly at their food dish but its not time to eat... they will also usually get one after a grooming session which happens a few times a week.

I also have chews, bully's, wishbones, tracheas, etc. around that they will get to chew on a few times a month.

[Amanda885]

I forgot..my mother in law gave us a massive box that look like chicken legs (shaped like them) and some bon shaped ones. I usually give him a treat every day or so ..sometimes for doing some tricks, and other times just because i tickle him and rub his belly and he's just ooh so happy and i just want to make him happier and give him a treat

[Einstein's Dad!]

I tried giving Einstein small cookies dipped in peanut butter once and he loved it!

A friend of mine came from the US last month and brought some dog treats from Kentucky -she got them from an online store called the 'Dog Treat Jar' -and funny thing coz they actually have peanut butter nibblers that tasted just like the ones Einstein liked. He chased her all around the garden -it was so funny.

Anyway, wish they were available here coz they're really good. Check 'em out.

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink...54+index.html+

[corky]

My dogs enjoy carrots. They each get one raw carrot every day and the vet is amazed at how nice their teeth are.