We love cookies and treats around here, and although we indulge from time to time, most are too high in calories and a bit too pricey to be used in large quantity as every day training treats.
Since we use positive reinforcement for training Daisy, it’s important to have something on hand that she really loves and will work for (professional trainers call this a “high-value treat”) but that is also healthy, low in calories and won’t break the bank.
For some dogs this is cheerios, for others it’s small bits of cheese, but for Daisy it’s green beans. At some point I started to notice that we could get Daisy to do just about anything for a bite of green bean. In fact, she “sits” without being told, at the mere site of them! We are big believers in the “Nothing in Life is Free” concept when it comes to pets, training and treats so she learned quickly that in order to get a treat, she needs to DO something good or interesting.
The only downside is that cooked beans are a bit too messy to keep in my pocket when we are out and about, so we stick to tiny bits of freeze-fried beef liver treats that can be purchased in bulk and broken or cut into smaller pieces, when on the go to reward good behavior…but at home, I always keep an extra container full of steamed, plain green beans in the fridge just for Daisy! I’ve also tricked her into believing that getting her teeth brushed is a reward but more about that later! Just wanted to share this quick money saving tip while I was thinking about it!
Other low-cost treats that Daisy loves include frozen banana slices, boiled bits of sweet potato, watermelon cubes and this dog treat recipe I made up for Frozen Brown Rice Crunchies! Leave a comment and let us know what food or treat your dog will work hardest to get!
We have eight Pomeranians. Our go to treat is baby green lima beans. They are actually good for them and cheap for us. (We love them too). We live in the country and have a large area fenced with cyclone panels so, we don’t go for “walks”. From the safety of their run they can chase rabbits, growl at squirrels, bay at coyotes, and bark at butterflies. (The yard dog likes to chase the neighbors cows.) Although we use the cooked baby limas I believe the large dried ones could work as a clean and dry treat for a larger dog. Another money saver is vienna sausage. If we need to give a pill we simply stuff it in a piece of vienna sausage instead of grappling with the dog or buying the high priced little pockets for pills. One precaution, if you have small dogs like ours smash the vienna or regular weinnie. The round shape and size can be a choke hazard for my girls that “gulp” their treat.
I likes your style! Kirby has to work for every treat he gets whether we are trick training or dinnertime. He thinks its a game so he has fun. He doesn’t like green beans or carrots unless they are in his meals or treats. I make most of his treats and buy a few. I use kitchen shears to cut the treats into tiny pieces when training. Still planning on making those frozen brown rice treats!
We love baby carrots here, green beans are not to popular. I agree that many dog treats are a bit over priced and you can make some great ones at home.
KALE! Kermie will do absolutely anything for a small piece of Kale. We found this out accidentaly one day while cooking when a bit dropped resulted in great excitement. Who knew. Kermie is quite the quirky dachshund.
That’s awesome! Daisy is NOT a fan of anything leafy green, unfortunately! I’ve tried but she turns her nose up and walks away LOL! She does love green beans and carrots though!