Advice on training treats?

[Kcmam]

I have been using Wellness Pure Rewards beef jerky treats for my 10 week old EM. They unfortunately give her TERRIBLE stinky gas. I have also tried bits of carrot but she doesn't seem to fond of them. Any suggestions on a safe,healthy alternative?

 

[DennasMom]

I used to run the dehydrator to make for training treats for Denna...

Slices of beef heart with slices of apple and sweet potato - when dry enough to handle comfortably mix them all together and feed as needed.
The heart makes it all smell like yummy beefy goodness, and the apple and sweet potato just add 'bulk', so you can treat more often.
Denna will eat carrots, apples and sweet potato in any given amounts, though.

Don't use liver - 1) it takes longer to dry and 2) feeding too much will cause runny poo's

You could look into freeze dried proteins (not liver) - "Whole Life" has some chicken bits and other freeze dried stuff. Whole Life Pet Products (not cheap, though)

Another item we use is just big kibbles - or her usual dinner kibbles. Not quite as high reward for during class, but works fine when at home practicing.
Solid Gold Wolf kibbles are a big size, and pretty good from a nutrition standpoint, too.

There are also freeze-dried whole-meal nuggets out there that work good for treats too.
Something like these: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Freeze-Dried-Nibblets/999325.aspx
or these: http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Green-Beef-Tripe-Nibblets/999350.aspx

 

[musicdeb]

I boil chicken breasts or use Pet Joy turkey bacon for Titan's training treats.

 

[Kcmam]

Thank you both! I never thought of dehydrating my own, I dehydrate fruit for kids lunches, as older teenagers they balk at taking an apple but don't say anything when I give them a chewy mix, go figure lol. Are there any I veggie/fruits I need to avoid?

 

[ruthcatrin]

no raisens onions or garlic for the dogs, otherwise pretty much whatever he'll eat is fine.

 

[musicdeb]

There is much debate on garlic for dogs. I give Titan a clove a day. I gave all of my past dogs garlic every day and they all lived to be 13 years of age.

 

[Robtouw]

I get the best results from sliced turkey or little chunks of cheese.

 

[dheepakh]

Wow! Garlic. How much to give for a 50kg dog?

 

[musicdeb]

Check this out, dkeepakh. The Shocking Truth About Dogs and Garlic - PetGuide

According to this site, you could give your pup 3 cloves. I've always given my dogs 1 clove in their daily meal. I cut it up into small pieces and pour olive oil on the cut up clove and give it to Titan (he weighs 59 kg) raw.

When I run out of cloves, I will sprinkle garlic powder as a back up.

 

[dheepakh]

Oh yeah! Thank you musicdeb, I love this forum.