Top Dog Training Treats | Healthy Treats For Big Dogs
I bet you know that training treats help you speed up the training process with your Tibetan Mastiff? But… they’re not as safe as some might think.
Did you know that several dog treats have been called out for hiding ingredients and presenting blatantly life-threatening treats to the market?
Even the classic dog bone treats have made controversial headlines in the past for their potential for injury and even death.
At least I was surprised when reading that!
So I guess that finding some of the best dog treats for training is a serious matter for many of us. Because of that, I created an FAQ session for you:
What Do Trainers Use For Dog Training Treats?
The types of treats dog trainers use varies, since there’s a wide range of available treats. Liver tends to top the lists, but fruits and other foods can be just as good. Many “human foods” can suffice as training treats.
You’re free to choose whether you want to use special dog treats or regular food.
What matters is that you understand their function. Furthermore, it’s also important to consider your dog’s diet and how treats fit; canine obesity is a common issue you definitely want to avoid.
Various Types Of Dog Training Treats For Your TM
When it comes to dog training treats, we can split them into 3 categories. These categories depend on the value placed in certain rewards by your dog.
– High value dog treats for training refer to your dog’s favorite foods. These treats aren’t something your dog commonly eats. They’re rewards for outstanding performance during training: learning new behaviors, working in distracting environments, performing right on cue, or changing difficult behaviors.
– Medium value refers to dog treats for training that’s less complicated. These are still highly desired foods, but they’re less valuable than the former category. You can use medium treats a bit more frequently to help your dog maintain learned behaviors and daily rewards.
– Low value rewards are the best dog treats for training skills they’ve already learned. They’re better prizes for mediocre performance during training. Finally, low value treats are ideal when you want to start reducing treats for learned behaviors.
What Are The Healthiest Treats For Tibetan Dogs?
The healthiest treats for TM dogs when training them, and dog food in general, is quite similar to choosing food for yourself. You want to look for healthy and natural treats. However, remember that what is healthy for you is not necessarily healthy for your Tibetan Mastiff.
Using junk food treats for your TM dog is as bad as it is for you.
With that in mind, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind. These pointers don’t mean you have to give your dog food they don’t like. That’s far from ideal, so the key lies in finding balance.
Organic Treats Are Healthier
Skipping commercial brands can be beneficial; they’re often filled with processed and artificial ingredients. Therefore, sticking to organic and natural treats is better.
This concept even includes simply using fruits and veggies.
In fact, carrots are among the best training treats for Tibetan Mastiff dogs and other breeds. They don’t have many calories, and they’re crunchy—just like dogs like it.
Careful With Their Teeth
Canine teeth are known for their strength, and they love chewing on bones and hard objects. That’s what they show on TV, but it’s actually a bad idea to let them do anything they want with their teeth.
You must be careful when choosing treats. Hard treats are far from being the best training treats for small dogs in particular. Adult dogs can still hurt their teeth with certain treats, so keep this in mind while using them.
Is It Good To Train Mastiff Dogs With Treats?
Whether it is good to train TM dogs with treats is actually debated among experts. However, the general consensus is that they’re as good as how you use them.
In the end, you want your Tibetan Dog to learn proper behavior.
There’s a difference between behaving well and simply looking for the reward. Just like children, you want them to learn they must behave properly because it’s correct—not because they can earn something for it.
How To Use Dog Treats Correctly
The main rule for using treats properly is to use them as rewards instead of bribes. That’s the difference between reinforcing good behavior and failing.
The first consideration is to avoid making treats the only reward.
Positive reinforcement is a holistic approach. If you use nothing but treats, your dog will assume they must receive one after doing anything.
If you combine them with affection, play time, guidance, and more, you’ll get better results.
Your dog will understand they have to behave well for a good relationship instead of just a bit of food.
Are Cheerios Good Training Treats For Dogs (Including Tibetan Mastiffs)?
Aside from Cheerios being rather smalll in size, cheerios can be a good training treat for dogs, but can also be unhealthy if choosing low-quality alternatives.
As high-quality alternative would be certified organic cheerios. They have almost zero nutritional value and can frequently be used as rewards for your dog.
That said, stay away from other types of Cheerios, especially chocolate and nuts—and yogurt if your dog is lactose intolerant.
Using those as treats for training can cause serious discomfort or even health problems to your TM dog.
What Are The 7 Basic Dog Commands?
When it comes to the 7 basic dog commands, keep in mind that many dogs can learn over 150 words. If you have enough time and a particularly smart breed, you can teach more than the 7 basic commands to them.
1. Sit is the quintessential dog command. It’s the easiest command to teach, and it’s the foundation for many other commands. It’s great if you want your dog to stay calm.
2. Down is akin to the evolution of the previous command. Sitting is good, but having your dog lie down is the ultimate pacifier. Again, this command is a foundation for more complicated ones.
3. Stay is the next must-have. It’s also one of the—if not the—easiest command to teach. You can just say “stay” or shush your puppy when they’re too hyped, and it’ll become second nature in days.
4. Come is self-explanatory. Calling your dog—and having come to you—is great when taking them out for a walk or not knowing where they are. A whistle is a great shortcut, too.
5. Heel is another must for walking your dog. Teaching them this command for walking calmly by your side isn’t too difficult; just pull gently on the leash when they start pulling you and repeat the command.
6. Offis a great command if you have visits regularly, or your dog likes to jump on things. You can repeat the command while grabbing their paws to discourage the behavior.
7. No is the simplest-yet-most-important command here. It can replace several other commands, and half the difficulty lies in using the right tone when speaking.
Some dogs are quite difficult to train, but with enough patience (or a professional), you can still teach them a few commands.
These commands do wonders for your dog’s behavior, and you don’t have to go through much stress to teach them 7 words.
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