Training Treats for the pudgie girl

[Maddiesgirl]

Madison has gone off to school.
We are attending a class that has, through a series of events, turned out to be three rotts. We refer to black and tan as the school uniform!:D

Madison has a tendency to be lazy, and put on pounds...we're pretty careful with her weight. And being far too tall, she is currently at her correct weight of 115, with a nice waist. We have just started school and we are using ALOT of treats. Unlike my other, she will not work for her dinner when the other dogs are getting hotdog, etc. (She's no dummy) Because we are practicing at home, we are giving alot of treats.

What is not super-fattening but is yummy and good smelling for training?

[RottiMomCT]

If she's working for her treats, she'll probably burn off the extra calories. Cut her dinner back just a little bit (less than 1/4 cup) on treat heavy training nights. I use low fat string cheese, and hot dogs, and Ben will do ANYTHING for either of 'em! I tend to use treats that I can put in my mouth, so Ben has to watch me.

[mmgy]

Will she work for a different kind of kibble? I have a brit with a sensitive stomach, and last year while we were feeding Canidae, I trained him with Wellness for the first half of every class. You could cut that right out of her regular feeding. Then the second part of class we used things like cheese, and dried beef lung.

There's a crunchy training treat called Liver Biscotti that has human grade ingredients, lots of smell, and 2 calories per piece. Each piece is like a small salad crouton, about 1/2 inch square.

Also, Wellness doesn't have a crumby texture, so I could put it in my mouth without any weirdness.

We refer to black and tan as the school uniform!

Cute!!!:D

[Maddiesgirl]

Thank you!
Mad has a sensitive tummy and does not wish to work hard in class . She is the most reluctant runner ever. But the other dogs are working for treats that smell....

At home we are working both dogs in 5 minute spurts about 4 times a day. String cheese could work....

Where are you getting the liver biscotti?

[danyp1]

would cat kibble be an option for you? my pup loves it and thats what we used at the puppy class and also at home. The trainer used it so I tried it as well. I think if you do not give them too much its ok. Also you could use the kibble you are using and put some smelly jerky in it leave it there for awhile and see if she falls for the smell.

[mmgy]

Several companies are now making dehydrated turkey breast, or beef jerky, or dried beef liver for dogs. These are not the least expensive treats, but if you're just using them with one dog.......

Also, I was told last week that someone is making all white meat turkey dogs now. That might be another option.

[Maddiesgirl]

My Dad just called to see if I needed anything from Costco..so I sent him looking for string cheese. MMGY- Can they eat turkey dogs?? I thought turkey was on the bad list?

We need less expensive because while one is at school, two practice at home.

Cat kibble they only like as much as their food. The jerky idea is good! Our problem at black/tan school is definently that the other dogs have stinkier/better treats. And she knows it. Last week little pieces of beggin' strips worked, but then her stomach was upset for two days..and oh god the gas! But I know how bad they are and she needs less "crap" calories.

[moondog]

I use hard-boiled egg whites, cut into small pieces. High protein, low calories, not messy! Luna loves them.....:)

[mmgy]

Hmmmmm, if turkey is bad, we're in trouble!! It's in two of the kibbles I use, and I use that dehydrated turkey breast from time to time.

My Clevie works better for cheese than anything, but I find a one hour class of cheese is too much for his system the next day. So we start with the other kibble, then when he realizes everyone else is getting something better, we go to a combination of cheese, with either something dried, or Red Barn rolled food, etc. Sometimes having a combination of things helps too, because he never knows what's coming next.

And egg whites sound good too, though not in your pocket!!

[Rott-Wiley]

I use string cheese and it works real well for me and my dog. They do make a fat free version, I think it's by Borden (I always get Sargento because that's what's on the shelves most) I've used it once just to try and it didn't seem to make a difference. You may want to look into that. There are also fat free hot dogs that a lot of people use.

[LavenderRott]

At class last week, Chase would have jumped small buildings in a single bound for a piece of nuked hot dog!

[Judi W]

Training treats must be very desireable in order to work, especially with the lazy dog. I agree with Ann, put your low cal stuff in the dinner cutting down on the regular food and use good stuff for training. (green beans in the kibble will work just fine)

[Maddiesgirl]

Thank you for all the replies. I just really needed something that I didn't feel so bad about giving her..last class she worked, but for Beggin'Strips, oh no.

String cheese and turkey hotdogs have been purchsed for her royal un-motivatedness. Meals are a major deal around here, as both of my dogs need to eat three times a day, or they vomit on an empty stomach:( . So we will cut "early dinner" down to less for her.

Hard boiled egg is definently something she wants (I eat them, she drools from the other room). Will try that at home, not in the pocket for class! This will be an experience for her. She has NEVER had people foods, except peanut butter and pumpkin!:D

I'll let you know how class goes!

[Maddiesgirl]

Not only does Maddie love turkey dogs (cut into see thru tini slices), but Deacon did his first down (why is down so hard???) for a turkeydog bitlet today!

Thank you!:D

[Judi W]

[i].......but Deacon did his first down (why is down so hard???) for a turkeydog bitlet today! Thank you!:D [/b]

Actually, the down is not so hard if you will start luring it from babyhood before egos get involved.