The ultimate training treat... bread ??

[cuppacoffee]

I change up Coffee's training treats pretty often. We've tried:
liver treats
dog cookies (from a bakery)
milk bones
boiled chicken breasts/thighs
kibble
hot dogs
steak trimmings (raw & cooked)
carrots
ice cubes

He never turns anything down, but it's noticeable that he'll work harder for steak fat than for kibble. However, this weekend we had some take-out chinese and in Boston, Chinese food comes with a really crappy soft roll. We generally put it out for the birds, but I was low on chicken and had forgetten to thaw the next batch, so I figured I'd use the bread.

You would have thought I had discovered the Holy Grail. Coffee's way of begging when we're on walks is to heel unasked. If he does a perfect heel through some twists, turns, stops etc, I'll reward him, but it usually only happens once or twice a walk. We spent more than 50% of our walk in heel. He looks at me like I'm the moon and the stars. He drops to the ground when I ask for a down, hoping for a bit of the nectar of the gods.

Have you guys experienced this with your dogs?
Kate

[Denise L.]

Not with Cyrus, but Richard the Rottweiler was a carb freak!

That dog absolutely loved bread! He would gaze longingly up at the counter where I kept it

[debbiej]

my dogs will do anything for bread. and they like plain old saltine crackers better than anything! I've often thought about developing a doggie bread. but have only given it fleeting thought

[spidey]

For my dog it's pasta. He is not a food motivated dog in general (which is a pain), but he will do anything for spaghetti and ramen noodles.

[kaylynn143]

Merlin goes gaga over ice cubes, but they don't travel well....

[Patty1231]

I've never tried bread but I know the unrequested heel pattern with perfect attention routine! I'll have to try the bread thing, see what happens.

[Maverick]

I haven't tried a lot of treats... but hotdogs seems to be a big hit for me so far. I will give bread a go next time I get a chance.

[Miabella]

I have a friend with an Airedale whose daughter does not like pizza crusts. She cuts up those left over pizza crusts and that dog will do anything for them. Unfortunately, we like crusts at my house!

[debbiej]

like I mentioned, mine just love bread, but I thought wheat and other grains were not that good for them, so I haven't used it to train. I do give them a little pieces of bread now and then, and they like it better than almost any treat. and I have thought about a recipe that would be healthier than wheat. I'd be glad to experiment and share the results if anyone has ideas.

[hmeadq]

Bannanas, hard boiled eggs, or peanut butter balls (frozen) and he will sit at class staring at me for 20 minutes, looking me in the eye and once and a while his eyes going down to the treat bag like "You gonna give me one soon? Huh mom? Huh?"

Bread is good but fruit is better for us....

[kat1234]

I dont use treats to train my dogs, just praise and love!

[trackermom]

Originally Posted by cuppacoffee

Have you guys experienced this with your dogs?
Kate

I have not, but one of my girlfriends that I track with each week has a Dobie that thinks Bread is the best thing ever invented... He will actually snubb steak for a slice.

[angel girl]

Lucky's bread must be toasted topped with either PB&J or Cheese Whiz. Freak-dog. No plain toast or bread for her.

Shania doesn't care for bread/toast at all (but she is a PB nut). She has recently decided that minnows are the creme de la creme of "treats." Watch out while your fishing, you may lose your bait.