Treats

[SLIMM 1]

My 7 wk old puppy went #2 for the first time and I praised him and tried to give him a treat but all he wanted was for me to hold him. I just got him today, so I am figuring it is separation from the mother. Should I look for different treats or give him some time. I am using Milk Bone puppy treats. They honestly look like they don't have no flavor LOL

[Sasha's Mom]

Milk Bone treats is probably not the best choice...as they contain wheat, which is not good for puppies. Try string cheese, bits of chicken, hot dogs, peanut butter... dogs LOVE this

Keep up praising like crazy every time he goes potty outside, use gestures and an animated voice and say "yayyyy!" or something like that, it will give him the idea

[Shelby427]

I agree, I tend not to use those milk boney types of treats, but rather pieces of chicken cut up real small, pieces of cheese (string cheese works great) and/or pieces of hot dog cut up real small.

Like the above poster said, throw a party each and every time puppy eliminates outside. Take him/her out on leash each and every time so you can make sure puppy goes outside. good luck!

[SLIMM 1]

Originally Posted by Shelby427

I agree, I tend not to use those milk boney types of treats, but rather pieces of chicken cut up real small, pieces of cheese (string cheese works great) and/or pieces of hot dog cut up real small.

Like the above poster said, throw a party each and every time puppy eliminates outside. Take him/her out on leash each and every time so you can make sure puppy goes outside. good luck!

Thanx for the advice. I will make that happen. He hasn't been eliminating outside or inside as a matter of fact, so I am kinda concerned about that. He did #2, but #1 has yet to come unless I missed it, but I know I would have seen his leg cocked in the air. I don't think male puppies squat , or do they?

[Nishasmom]

Many premium dog food brands also make treats (Innova, Wellness, ect).

[Cdn1050]

I second, well third the use of pieces of chicken dogs, turkey dogs, pieces of string cheese as treats instead of commercial dog treats. They're cheaper, better health wise, and easier to cut into smaller than bite size pieces. So you use less and it lasts longer. I learned at a local schuntzhund club, just enough of the treat so the puppy can taste it, but not big enough where he is full.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by SLIMM 1

...He did #2, but #1 has yet to come unless I missed it, but I know I would have seen his leg cocked in the air. I don't think male puppies squat , or do they?

Yes, they do squat...just like a girl! It'll be quite some time before he cocks his leg.

A good treat to start puppies off on is their kibble! You don't want to give him too many rich treats to start to avoid tummy upset/diarrhea. Make sure you pinch off/cut up very tiny pieces (pencil eraser size). I still use EVO kibble for my 2-1/2 year old in addition to string cheese, liver brownies, meatballs, turkey hotdogs, bits of meat, etc. She'll work "almost" as hard for 1 dinky EVO kibble as she will for any of the others, and it keeps her from getting too chubby, so I use it about half the time.

[Diva Satanica]

Originally Posted by moondog

Yes, they do squat...just like a girl! It'll be quite some time before he cocks his leg.

A good treat to start puppies off on is their kibble! You don't want to give him too many rich treats to start to avoid tummy upset/diarrhea. Make sure you pinch off/cut up very tiny pieces (pencil eraser size). I still use EVO kibble for my 2-1/2 year old in addition to string cheese, liver brownies, meatballs, turkey hotdogs, bits of meat, etc. She'll work "almost" as hard for 1 dinky EVO kibble as she will for any of the others, and it keeps her from getting too chubby, so I use it about half the time.

I also use kibble for treats. I keep the other treats as high value treats, for when he is a little reluctant or when learning something new. The ones I use as "high value" are Pet Botanics Training Rewards, Zukes Mini Naturals and Puresnacks (dehydrated chicken).

[Nishasmom]

Yes, my trainer was AMAZED that Nisha works just as hard for her kibble as she does for anything else . Also, it is good for them to "work" for their food. As part of implementing "NILF" we often do a training session at dinner time...her reward 5 kibbles or so a time

[Zumie05]

Originally Posted by SLIMM 1

but I know I would have seen his leg cocked in the air. I don't think male puppies squat , or do they?

Lol that would be so cute/funny to see a 7 week old rottie pup lifting his leg already! That made me giggle.

As far as pottying outside goes, with that young of a pup I would advise going out every hour at the very minimum. In addition to that, take him out immediately after he has drank and within 10 minutes after he has eaten. Also take him out immediately after he has woke from sleeping, and again after he has been running around and involved in a play session (running gets the bladder/bowels moving in a small pup!).

If you don't want to use cheese or chicken from home as treats for your pup (I didn't), there are lots of good things out there at pet stores that you can find. Gary loves these duck treats that I found. All of his crunchy treats are organic ones that contain no wheat or artificial preservatives. I am not even sure if he would eat a milk bone because I have been spoiling him with such fancy treats lol!

[SLIMM 1]

Just got back from the vet and Petsmart and I picked up Nature's Recipe Training Treats. They are softer than the Milk Bone and have different flavors (chicken, beef, etc.) I will let y'all know how that goes