Doggie Hack #2: Treat me, Hooman!

Hello all!

Welcome to Puppy Hack #2!

One of the most important things when training a service dog is treats–having enough and having the right ones. As always, every dog likes different things, so these are ideas–not definite answers.

There are various levels of value. Generally, these depend on the strength of the aroma/odor of the treat and how much it pure, unadulterated meat it has. Of course, the rarity of getting the treats can adjust the level of motivation they give.

Nudges

Also under the name Milo’s Kitchen, these come in several flavors and sizes. They come in bigger bags, so on a per-bag basis they’re a bit more expensive, but–

But they’re so good, Hoomans! 

I perform very well for these on shopping outings!

Both Cor and Yaha have trained on these. These are my go-to for dogsitting, too. I have bribed many a dog into instant friendship with them.

Wait. You give my treats to other dogs?!

…They smell so good I’d take a nibble if I weren’t allergic to several of their ingredients.

I have probably been training with these the longest of any of the treats. Old Faithful. All told, they’re well worth the price. Medium value.

Lettuce, apples, carrots

These are for when I’m behaving under the table while Hooman makes her food.

Yup. Low value. Good for maintenance–rewarding for things like stay, wait, under while not releasing/being done with the trick/task. Not good for outings–strange surroundings are much more interesting. 

Freeze-dried meat/organs

Hooman! Hooman! Can I have one now? Please! *please-sits like a good boy*

Not right now, no. 

I know fellow Hoomans, sounds gross. High value, though. Also–

But pleeeeeeaaaase?

No. They’re not for casual treating.

*pouts*

As they’re freeze-dried, the texture to Hooman fingers is more like cardboard. Can be expensive, but it depends on the brand. I recommend this one:

(Smaller bag, less expensive, half the proceeds go to service dogs for veterans.)

But we’ve also done Pure Bites which is likely easier to find in stores. Of course, we have a Pet Supplies Plus, like, five minutes from our house, so that’s normally where I go, and they have these by the register, so maybe not.

Cheddar cheese sticks, pepperoni

Hoomaaaaan? What are those?

Something I haven’t given you yet.

Are they good?

Yaha performed well in extremely-populated areas for them. 

Cheap. High value. Hooman food. Do not use at home too much–these are for the big outings. Tourist traps, group training sessions, airports. Big training sessions. 

Frozen Mangoes

*sits-please like a good boy*

Inexpensive. Hooman food. Medium value. Good for summer and teething.

Those are the treats I use. If you all have others you use, I’d love to hear about them and keep cycling through–that rarity value coming into play again. 😉

We got this, Hoomans.

💜You were not born to fail💜

Woof!

Lauryn

And Cor!