Top Five Training Treats
I think everyone has their go-to treats for training, and I am no exception to that rule. Where my approach differs is that I like to have healthy snacks that I can share with my dog while we train together.
These are foods that I use to reward waffles for her good behavior on a daily basis, so they're ordinarily going to be a part of Waffles’ balanced diet for the day
#5 Top Training Treat: Meat
Like most dogs, Waffles gets very excited about pretty much any meat.
This can be really useful in rewarding behaviors that we have been working on for a while, but sometimes a treat this exciting is more of a distraction than anything. I usually have chicken, turkey, and beef in the refrigerator ready to go. This allows me to use more versatile treats while training and to get a bite of meat for each of us if Waffles does something super impressive.
#4 Top Training Treat: Egg
There are also some lighter options for really high-value rewards if you're trying to avoid some fat for your pooch. For example, if you hard boil an egg you can remove the yolk and use that as a high-powered snack for yourself then tear the white into little pieces, and those make a fantastic treat for your pup as well!
#3 Top Training Treat: Grains
Now, there is a difference between a high value reward and a jackpot treat. A high value treat says, “Oh my gosh that was awesome! You get such a good treat,” and a Jackpot reward says, “Way to go! You can have it all,” and implies, “All done.”
Grains like couscous or rice are really great for dogs who aren’t on a grain-free diet because these are things you can feed a small amount of, but it takes your dog a long time to consume. That's what makes it a fantastic jackpot treat - a dog gets to spend some time indulging in their reward.
My next one might be a little bit controversial, so please please keep in mind that these are not meant to be fed in abundance… They are meant to be consumed in moderation within a balanced diet.
#2 Top Training Treat: Chickpeas
Personally, I love to feed Waffles chickpeas as a treat from time to time.
The biggest reason is that they're so high in protein and fiber which is why the licensed veterinary nutritionists that design our lovely labradoodle’s diet have included it in a few of Waffle's recipes. But that’s not all… The other thing is Waffles really, really, really loves chickpeas, so I can have just one little, tiny chickpea and that will act as a fantastic high-value reward for my dog in particular. They're also fairly firm so they don't smush easily, which means I can keep them in my pocket.
I also like using whole fresh foods as treats for Waffles because it keeps those fresh ingredients in my refrigerator which keeps me eating healthy too, and that brings me to my number one all time favorite training treat, which is….
#1 Favorite Training Treat: Vegetables
Really, any kind of vegetables work as long as they're safe for dogs, but we tend to lean more towards vegetables that she's going to eat anyway because they are a part of her dog food recipes that we get from The Farmer’s Dog (affiliate link).
So, that would be like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, etc. I like to steam the vegetables to make the nutrients a little bit more bioavailable (and because that's what the veterinarian recommends). For example, in our Top Five Training Treats video, Waffles told me that she wanted carrots, so I took some carrots, which she does enjoy raw as well, and I put them in a dish with a little water, covered the dish, and microwaved them for a couple minutes.
“Vegetables are super low in calories, so I can afford to go a little overboard during training and higher enthusiasm equals greater results, whether I’m training my own mind and body or my dog”
I’ve also learned a new trick since filming this video: You can fill a damp sock with your preferred vegetables and pop that in the microwave for a couple minutes before cooling in the refrigerator. Once cooled, the vegetables get firm on the outside and come out of the sock super easily.
