In my ongoing quest to help people think out of the box, at least with respect to interacting with their dog, I have put together a list of some treats. First, the definition: A Treat Is Something Your Dog Likes. You Need To Be Honest About That! If you say “good dog” thinking it’s a treat, think again.
You can certainly TRAIN your dog to think “good dog” is a treat, but without actually doing that, the probability that “good dog” has the same cachet as say, liver, is doubtful. The dictionary states treat (noun) as “an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure.” If you can keep that in mind, it helps.
Treats can fall into TWO categories. FOOD and NOT FOOD.
FOOD
Within the food category (samples below), you want to think of the treat ranging from the ordinary, ho hum, yes I’ll do that if nothing else is happening such as dog kibble or Cheerios, to the canine equivalent of a hot fudge sundae (which a lot of the other examples might fall into for your dog. Remember MODERATION is key, especially on the less healthy forms, and the size given is SMALL).
All forms of liver - Baked, dried, sauted, etc.
Cat food kibble
Cheddar Goldfish
All forms of cheese (including Cheese In A Can) -- can be messy in warmer weather
Cooked meats—e.g., chicken, steak, pork, turkey or duck
Mock meat - “fake” meat for the vegetarians
Peanut or almond butter (other nut butters can be good too) on a spoon
Cheerios
Burger King or McDonalds (or other fast food type place) hamburger/cheeseburger
Hot dogs
Sardines
Eggs
Fruit - Bananas, All Melons
Vegetables - carrots, broccoli,cauliflower, potato, yams, etc.(the earlier you start your dog on fruits and vegetables the wider the palate will be).
Yogurt
String Beans
Apples
Carrots - in pieces, baby carrots, big carrots, cooked or raw
Various crackers
popcorn
bagels/pita bread (I had one dog client who was mad for stale pita..go figure!)
butter
Bacon
liver brownies
Etc., etc., etc.
OBJECTS/TOYS
Soft tug toys
Small squeaky toy
Rope tug toy
Crinkly paper
Ball that bounces oddly and makes various noises
Sport balls of all sizes and shapes and textures—soccer, tennis, football, basketball, lacross, croquet, etc.
Stuffed Kong or Biscuit Ball
Tennis ball
Plastic bottles
Frisbee
Jolly Ball
big knotted scrap of fleece fabric
retrieving dumbbell
chase ‘n pull toy
stuffed animals that make the animal sound
Toys that make noise other than squeak
Raw or marrow bones
Bully sticks
Stuff-A-Squirrel
Yogurt containers (clean up the yogurt first, then play with)
CAREFULLY used laser light
cow hooves
deer antlers
Etc. etc. etc.
What Your Dog Likes That Isn’t Above
INTERACTIONS
Getting scratched at the base of his tail
Scritching, belly rubs, gentle touching
car/vehicle rides
Going for a walk
Hike in the woods
Rubbing your dog’s ears
Clapping and cheering him on
Playing a favorite game
Tug and ball retrieve
Massage
quiet praise w/soft eye contact
big ‘whoo hoo’ praise with jumping up
a good game of chase
Alone and focus time with your dog
Cuddling on couch
verbal praise with pats on his sides
scratching/rubbing between his eyes and on top of his muzzle
clicker training
Butt scritches
ear rubs
hugging
chest scratches
jaw massage
permission to jump up on usually forbidden objects (couch, bed)
time with other people your dog loves
Swimming Together
Training Classes w/ lots of other good-looking dogs
on the floor snuggles
being brushed
Other Things Your Dog Enjoys Interacting With That Isn’t Above.
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Dangerous food for dogs
Hi Rachel,
It’s good to see so many rewards for dogs to get for being good – If I remember correctly Ian Dunbar asks people to identify 20 things their dog likes and then asks them to use these randomly to reward their pooches – it helps steer away from using food only and promotes better bonding.
Regarding your blog, I just wanted to point out the danger to dogs of some foods as highlighted in an excellent article to be found in www.treshanley.com/cic/dangerousfoods.html - In a seminar I attended recently one person related about a dog they knew becoming seriously ill after eating peanuts – I also didn’t realise how dangerous raisins and grapes could be to dogs until I read the said article.
Cheers Gareth (UK)
Dangerous Foods
Gareth, et al,
I did review the list, and yes, there are certainly things that can be toxic or dangerous to dogs. I guess I advocate the old Latin adage, "caveat emptor" or "buyer beware". While it originates with respect to the purchase of property (let's not digress there in these here international economic times of duress), I do try to encourage my clients to empower themselves with research -- asking their animals' medical professionals, reading, researching, etc. so they can make the best choice. I believe in a quality of life perception and encourage diversity while always simultaneously empowering dog owners to never put themselves in the position of feeling they are compromising their dog's safety. When I lived in L.A. years ago, I was lucky enough to have a lovely house with an avocado tree (and a lemon tree and plum tree). My first dog, Teisha, had a lovely supplement to her diet of avocado with no ill effect. She also loved grapes and raisins with no ill effect, although I know current research supports the possible toxicity so I avoid it now.
I also tell people if you say "good dog" and give your dog a wee piece of liver or chicken or something else healthy and savory, and you do that 1,000 times over a month or two (250 x week, about 35 times a day or divide in half for the longer time frame), "good dog" will replace treat in all but the most distracting environment. Try it!
Cheers back to you!
Rachel
Rachel Friedman, MSW, LISW, President
A Better Pet LLC
www.abetterpet.com
rachel@abetterpet.com
Dangerous Foods - Opposite - BARF DIET
I feed my animals basically the BARF DIET. Not appealing sounding but they do great on it & love it. The exception is that half of my animals would eat raw chicken & half would not. The compromise that works for everybody is the BBQ Grill. I clean raw fresh or frozen chicken & throw it on the BBQ Grill. I lightly cook both sides to murder any surface goodies (chicken is notoriously unclean from the processing plants). They do all get raw red meat. Hammy liked his lightly cooked on each side but red as possible. The current crew think all red is great. My guys are all from 60 lbs up to over 100 lbs. I add premium Venison Kibble.
Re - Cooked Meat - NEVER NEVER NEVER give COOKED BONES. They become too dry & splintery. Raw bones, even chicken bones are fine. Again refer to the BARF DIET. As always do your own research before launching off into something new for you.
One would do well to research items which could cause torsion.
L.A.