Training "Rewards" What To Use?

[JAYling]

Hello All!, As some might already know I have a 10 wk old Newf at home now by the name of Nimbus, We have been working on a few basic obedience commands, He learned sit and down VERY fast but I am running into a stumbling block of Nimbus not caring about the "Reward". I am just using his regular food with lots of excitement!-
It looks like I might have to change things up a little. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what to use?.

 

[JackandKelly]

I use carrot pieces, but eventually Lola got bored with those. Then I switched to these
http://sittinprettynaturaldogbakery.com/
but she wouldn't do "leave it" with those because she loves them so much. She goes crazy for them. I break whichever ones I am using in little pieces. They are not made in China and they have Beef, Chicken etc...depending on which one you buy as the first ingredient.

 

[Liisa]

For Cooper I used - Zuke's mini naturals, Charlie Bear Treats, and when I was training more difficult commands or the "come" command - I upped it. Bits of hot dog, scrambled egg, cut up chicken or steak, boiled liver...

Fortunately, I was able to use his food for a couple months before he demanded something more.

 

[JAYling]

Excellent ideas!, Thank you for your quick reply's!, I will be sure to start putting them to use.
- Liisa, I've been glued to you-tube for a litle bit now with your videos. Cooper rocks! You do great work, Keep the vids coming!!

 

[twins2again]

I use thin steak cut up into bits and also string cheese cut up into bits He loves it

 

[NewfLove]

I save all our leftovers that are puppy suitable in a small plastic doggie bag in the fridge. When we get ready to train, I just cut them up into little pieces (steak, bacon, cheese, etc.) and off we go. Doesn't mean she listens, but she listens better than with "blah" treats. :LMAO:

 

[2newffamily]

Usually something "smelly" works best. I always have cooked chickien hearts and the broth. Both of my girls absolutely love the hearts. Even Misha is a not usually food motivated. I also like the Natural Balance products. Similar to Rollover but without all the preservatives and such. It's meat treat, shaped like a large sausage. I cut it up into bite size pieces, split them up into snack size baggies and put them in the freezer. I only take out as much as I need at any one time.

 

[SarahZ]

How did you cook the chicken hearts? I tried that once and I made a terrible rubbery mess of them all! I'd love to know a good recipe...

 

[R Taft]

We make our ground meat little(tiny) balls.........ground meat of any kind mixed with raw egg and with legumes (dried peas/beans put through the blender to powder form) to make it hold. We make this up and freeze them in little bags ready for training. we even use them frozen. I can flick them quite well at Annabelle now
We also use cheese and sausage cut up in tiny bits..........
And all the dogs at training follow me and hubby, because of our treats

 

[Joan Fisher]

Tiika is allergic to chicken which is in most commercial treats so I use cheese, dehydrated salmon pieces (I cut the salmon into around 1 inch square bits and put in the dehydrator), and pork liver pieces. (I bake the liver, cut into tiny pieces, bag in snack bags, and freeze. I take a bag of pieces to classes or when I'm doing training, along with snack bags of salmon pieces and cheese pieces).

 

[NewfLove]

Usually something "smelly" works best. I always have cooked chickien hearts and the broth. Both of my girls absolutely love the hearts. Even Misha is a not usually food motivated. I also like the Natural Balance products. Similar to Rollover but without all the preservatives and such. It's meat treat, shaped like a large sausage. I cut it up into bite size pieces, split them up into snack size baggies and put them in the freezer. I only take out as much as I need at any one time.

I forgot about the Natural Balance treats! Most dogs love them:

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/DFRolls.html

 

[janices]

I cut up turkey hot dogs into bits, microwave them until lightly brown, then split into baggies and refrigerate or freeze and take out what I need. Also, tenderized round steak, sprinkle with garlic powder and worchestire, broil until done, cut up into tiny pieces. I buy italian meatballs from freezer section of Costco and cut those up into bits for training too.

Store bought, I buy Plato Farmers Market Chicken and Salmon - http://www.platosmartdogtreats.com/ . They're easy to break up. Puppies really like those too. Honest Kitchen makes treats called Pecks, Smooches, Nuzzles - http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/?gclid=CPnipJGQsJsCFdVL5QodHR95Bw .

 

[Tricia2]

I cut up turkey hot dogs into bits, microwave them until lightly brown, then split into baggies and refrigerate or freeze and take out what I need. Also, tenderized round steak, sprinkle with garlic powder and worchestire, broil until done, cut up into tiny pieces. I buy italian meatballs from freezer section of Costco and cut those up into bits for training too.

Store bought, I buy Plato Farmers Market Chicken and Salmon. They're easy to break up. Puppies really like those too.
http://www.platosmartdogtreats.com/

Janice, you're making me hungry! :roflmao:

I do the hotdog in the microwave treat, too, plus cheese cubed small (1/2 in.) Put it on a plate lined with paper towels, uncovered in the fridge overnight. It won't get all sticky in your treat pouch. Also, my dogs will stand on their heads for dehydrated liver.

 

[janices]

Janice, you're making me hungry! :roflmao:

I do the hotdog in the microwave treat, too, plus cheese cubed small (1/2 in.) Put it on a plate lined with paper towels, uncovered in the fridge overnight. It won't get all sticky in your treat pouch. Also, my dogs will stand on their heads for dehydrated liver.

Hey, if it works it works. Got a jump off a boat week ago for that italian meatball.

 

[CMDRTED]

String cheese broken or cut into small bits.

You can also try sliced hot dog pieces about 1/4 inch thick and microwaved until they are throughly cooked, dried on a paper towel. Store in frig the leftover.

 

[Joan Fisher]

Hi Tricia,
Do you put the cheese cubes on the paper towels, too, or just the hotdogs?

Janice, you're making me hungry! :roflmao:

I do the hotdog in the microwave treat, too, plus cheese cubed small (1/2 in.) Put it on a plate lined with paper towels, uncovered in the fridge overnight. It won't get all sticky in your treat pouch. Also, my dogs will stand on their heads for dehydrated liver.

 

[Tricia2]

Hi Tricia,
Do you put the cheese cubes on the paper towels, too, or just the hotdogs?

Joan,
I put the little cheese cubes on paper towels but I don't cover them. They get a bit crusty/dry on the outside overnight. Then you can freeze any you aren't going to use right away. They don't get stuck together in your hand or treat pouch.

I use all-natural turkey hotdogs which I slice lengthwise into four strips, then cut 1/2 inch slices across, so you get little 'nuggets.' I put them on a paper plate and cover with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 3 minutes per hotdog. They should be browned. My dogs love them, so they are a high value treat.

I find they are great for rally/obedience training where you are click, treat, click treating to keep the dog's focus. Much easier to hold in your hand or treat pouch because they aren't as slippery as uncooked hotdogs.

 

[Bär]

I dehydrate meat, fruit & vegetables. They keep forever in the freezer & Bär loves them. I also make Bär peanut butter cookies & newfy bars. They also freeze really well.

 

[Tricia2]

I dehydrate meat, fruit & vegetables. They keep forever in the freezer & Bär loves them. I also make Bär peanut butter cookies & newfy bars. They also freeze really well.

Bar the Newfie eats Newfie bars...mmmmm, Newfie bars. Do you have a recipe?

Janice's idea for Italian meatballs was a big hit at last night's rally class. Lulu shared her's with her best buddy, the Berner and I snuck a nibble or two.

 

[newfy]

I use COSTCO grilled chicken in the twin pack in the refrigerated section, break up the pieces, Tiki loves it, will do anything for it!! Also eat it myself.