training my dog does anyone know of a low cal treat to feed while training

[staceyj]

I use the dogs food, but when it’s a novel learning experience I need to go to a higher value treat for more focused concentration.
Then I use frozen precooked meatballs. Thaw out 1-3 overnight in the fridge.
I hold it in my hand and the dog gets a lick or the tinniest nibble which I sort of scrape off with my thumbnail. 1 meatball can last me a good 10 minutes of active training.
By then the dogs brain needs a break anyway.

 

[Taliasun]

Also, skip the meal before training time so she's very hungry and motivated. Then, even her kibble will seem like a special treat.

 

[paintedChix]

You could combine the cat food/carrot or celery idea by dipping pieces of the veggie into the cat food (scent and hint of taste) then allowing it to dry or putting in the oven for a bit to bake (so the cat food "dries", not so the veggie is cooked thru/soft).

I've seen celery used a lot here when taking our various dogs thru obedience classes & I've been thankful our dogs will accept their own kibble as "treats".

 

[thehenhouseinpa]

Sounds crazy but pet toothpaste! Easy to store in your pocket and a little dab of malt flavor is all they need!

 

[Kayla's Lunch]

That's a great idea! I never even thought of that. That would be so easy to carry around to use for those impromptu training moments.

 

[Birdsong 82]

One can of tuna drained and rinsed. Coconut flour about 6 tablespoons but I will have to double check the recipe when I get home and a 2 table spoon full flax seed. You can roll them out and cut them to any size you wish. I cut mine cookies sized and put them in the dehydrator overnight. Don’t even have to bake them. Smaller ones probably only need the dehydrator for a couple hours. Using the dehydrator extend the shelflife and keeps the good nutrients from being cooked out

 

[Hermit]

This is one of the treats I give my little guy (I keep a healthy variety of snacks and goodies on hand, and I’m vigilant about what I buy after he had a bad reaction to a set of treats I bought him) when we’re working on something.
As you can see… he loves them. LOL



He jumped up and started pushing the bag/my hand around as soon as he saw I was holding it to take the picture. They’re chicken liver, freeze dried and diced into tiny chunks. If they’re bigger than I want, I can easily break them in my hand or cut them down before training time.
He would do ANYTHING for one of these, and there isn’t a noticeable scent like there is with his beloved buffalo snacks (bleugh).
I buy mine at the 99c Store (not Dollar Tree, though I can usually find him buffalo jerky or buffalo lung chews there) for a dollar a package and wow, do they last!