Puppy obedience training can be very challenging. It is difficult to get your pet’s attention while making him or her understand the commands you are trying to teach Food is a great motivator when working with dogs. Use this to your advantage, but make sure you do so in a healthy manner. Choosing the right type of puppy training treats is extremely important to give your new pet a strong start in life.

Start with Ingredients

The first thing to look at is what is in the dog treats you are considering for your pup. Just like a child, a puppy is going through an intense stage of growth in his or her life. The right level of vitamins and minerals is extremely important for healthy development. Stick with treats that offer a good source of protein with no chemical preservatives, such as Ethoxyquin. Acceptable natural preservatives include Vitamins C and E.

Size the Treat

Buying dog treats for obedience training is not quite the same as buying a biscuit or bone to be used as a daily snack. When working through each step of training, you will have to offer a treat reward multiple times. This is why it is vital that the treats you choose come in very small portions. Rewarding your pup with full size dog treats can lead to canine obesity and poor eating habits.

Treat Modification

If you need to adjust the size of the treat, then you can do so. Just because treats come in larger portions doesn’t mean you have to serve them that way. Consider the shape and consistency to make sure you can easily break each treat apart into manageable training pieces. Soft treats work well because they can be sliced easily and hold their shape. Biscuit and other dry treats can be used, but they tend to crumble when broken. Both work however one might be messier than the other. Keep this in mind when selecting obedience training rewards.

Obedience Training Treat Storage

Today, many manufacturers have started offering treats in easy to use, re-sealable containers. These are very convenient for owners, especially if you move to a different location for obedience training. Dog treats can go stale just like many human foods. Get the most out of your treats while feeding fresh, healthy rewards by keeping them in a sealed container.

Many dog owners choose to purchase a separate container, such as a plastic food container or jar with a twist on lid, for treat reward storage. If you move to the backyard or other location for training, you might want to purchase a durable plastic container that won’t easily break. Ceramic and glass should be avoided when taking dog treats with you.

Dog treats can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of obedience training. While treat rewards should be combined with praise, your pet will be far more attentive knowing there is the potential for earning something tasty! Choose the right dog treats and avoid over feeding your puppy while he or she learns.

By: Kimberly Case

About the Author:
Kimberly Case is a popular contributor at Dog Treats To Go- where you can find Training Treats and Cat Treats.



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