Canine Enthusiasts Share Their Secrets For Training Dogs Unmotivated By Treats
Treats are easily the go-to option for most dog owners who want to train their beloved canine friends. However, some owners encounter a snag when they discover that the dog they adopted isn't motivated by food.
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Dog owners need something that truly grabs their pet's interest and makes them eager to learn. But hey, if treats aren't doing the trick for your pup, don't fret!
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There are plenty of other approaches you can take to keep them engaged and excited about training. Frame your mind to think of dog training as paying wages.
Some dogs simply won't settle for the minimum wage. Maybe those run-of-the-mill dog treats aren't cutting it for your furry friend, but a freshly cooked piece of chicken or a tasty chunk of cheese might just grab their attention.
Before you throw in the towel on using treats for training, experiment with various types of high-value (and dog-safe) foods. Meat, cheese, and peanut butter are generally top picks, as long as your dog doesn't have any allergies or sensitivities.
You can also get some ideas from Quora users who answered this question:
What is an irresistible dog treat? We adopted a shelter dog that needs training, and he might eat some of the treats we bought (even dehydrated liver), but he's not motivated or that interested in them.
It could be an emotional thing.
Some dogs are traumatized because of the changes in their lives. The need may be more emotional than food.
Try spending time playing and see if fetch with a tennis ball as the reward for training works. Be creative and find what your dog craves.
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Hot dogs can be a way to a dog's heart.
Cheese. Hot dogs.
But if you recently adopted the dog, it may take a while before he’s comfortable enough to be interested.
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Combine treats with real meat.
Try Bonkers dog treats with chicken.
Every dog I meet likes it, and even dogs with sensitive intestines or allergies have shown no issues with Bonkers treats (with chicken).
Or go with no treats at all. Choose displays of love and affection.
Love and cuddles, positive reinforcement, good boy, etc.
There are plenty of choices. You just need to find out which one works.
Training a newly adopted shelter dog can be a rewarding experience, but finding the right treats to motivate and engage them is crucial for success. While some dogs may not be immediately interested in traditional treats like dehydrated liver, there are plenty of other options to explore.
Here are some irresistible dog treats to try:
1. High-Value Treats:
Experiment with a variety of high-value treats such as cooked chicken, turkey, or beef. These meats are often more appealing to dogs than store-bought treats.
Cut the meat into small, bite-sized pieces for easy consumption during training sessions.
2. Cheese or Peanut Butter:
Many dogs go crazy for cheese or peanut butter. Use small amounts as a special reward during training.
You can stuff peanut butter into a Kong toy or use it to coat other treats for added appeal.
3. Freeze-Dried Treats:
Freeze-dried meats, such as chicken or fish, retain their natural flavor and aroma, making them irresistible to dogs.
Look for single-ingredient freeze-dried treats without additives or preservatives for the healthiest options.
4. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables:
Some dogs enjoy the taste and texture of fruits and vegetables, such as apple slices, carrot sticks, or blueberries.
Use these natural treats sparingly, as some fruits contain high sugar content and may cause digestive upset in large quantities.
5. Commercial Treats with Strong Smells:
Opt for treats with strong smells, such as freeze-dried liver or fish treats. The potent aroma can capture your dog's attention and increase motivation during training sessions.
Break these treats into smaller pieces to make them last longer and prevent overfeeding.
6. Homemade Treats:
Consider making homemade dog treats using simple, dog-friendly ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and pumpkin.
There are countless recipes available online for homemade dog treats that you can tailor to your dog's preferences and dietary needs.
Conclusion:
Every dog is unique, so it may take some trial and error to find the perfect treat that captures your shelter dog's interest. Be patient and persistent in your search, and observe your dog's preferences to tailor your training approach accordingly.
Remember to use treats as a positive reinforcement tool and to keep training sessions fun and engaging for both you and your furry friend.
Discover what makes the doggo go nuts.
It takes time for a shelter dog to decompress. It's your job to find out what motivates your dog.
It could be a toy, a blanket, you, kind words… Each dog is unique.
My dog was not interested in treats at first. It took time.
A favorite is a Kong stuffed with treats and peanut butter. Good luck on your journey.
Try different commercial treats.
Jerky treats by Freshpet for sure! They are soft and come in a purple bag. My little one is fussy but goes absolutely bonkers for these; she doesn't want any other!
Ingredients are great; please try them!
Cat food could work.
First of all, if your dog is training on a typically full belly from the usual “Oh, the poor shelter dog” diet, he won't react to slices of rare steak…
HIS BELLY IS FULL… Change that…
The strongest motivator in ANY DOG'S LIFE is food… It beats out all other factors, including sex…
So… First, you cut his rations IN HALF… Put the rest in a zip-top bag for later, and serve it as supper after all training is done.
Once the dog's belly is grumbling…???? THEN you can get his attention with food…
My standard high-value treat is cheap dry cat food. The high-fat content is irresistible to the dogs, and the kibbles are tiny, so I can “treat” the dogs constantly while training without filling them up.
Some doggos love peanut butter.
For long training sessions or regular visits, I’ll change up the cat food with peanut butter to avoid boredom.
The stuff is now available in these handy-dandy squeeze tubes that let me put a dab on a finger for a SPECIAL treat.
A user's ultimate weapon: Slim Jims.
My “Nuclear Option” for dogs that are so anxious and “shut down” they are refusing food…???
Slim Jims…
Biting off small bits of greasy, smoky, mechanically separated mystery meat with gristle and chunks of fat and tossing them to the dog WILL get his attention… Then you can use the lesser tools once you open up a line of communication…
Some believe natural treats are the way to go.
I buy pumpkin treats in biscuit form. I get them from Amazon.
All natural.
For special training use.
Mine go crazy over chicken wrapped with sweet potato or bacon. It doesn’t matter which one; they inhale either one.
They’re a little larger than a training treat, so you might save these for special training activities.
The small liver training treats have always worked well for me. Make sure you’re getting real ingredients.
Maybe that’s why he hasn’t liked them, or he’s just one of those dogs not motivated by food. For that, you will need a professional.
Pick up some cheap ingredients and try them during training sessions.
I clicker train with either cheap ham or cheese. Cheap ham is really pungent and seems to get the attention of most dogs.
I'll cut it into pieces half the size of my little fingernail to work with.
If dog treats won't work, maybe human food will.
My go-to high-value treats for dog training are:
#1. Bacon
#2. String Cheese
#3. Chicken (raw for my dog)
If commercial treats won't work, try natural ingredients.
We have Hill’s Science Diet treats, Milk Bone knaw/chew treats, and small Milk Bone Butter, and these are commercial treats. What dogs love best is plain old chicken that I bake or grill in very small pieces.
They do get two meals each day, and with treats, I minus out a little bit of their regular food. Make sure there are NO bones in the chicken.
They can eat the chicken neck bone, but most chickens don’t come with that these days. They do when it is a whole chicken that you are cooking.
Go with bacon or cracklings.
Most dogs can easily be manipulated by treats. My JRT bitch is just not interested.
Except for crisply fried bacon or crackling. And then not too enthusiastically.
You could try that - good luck!
In her case, running and playing easily substitute for treats. I know, hard on the owner, but it works every single time.
Duck jerky could work too.
My dogs could never get enough duck jerky (sold in the dog treat aisle); you could try those.
It takes trial and error plus patience to determine what motivates a dog during training. Remember, every pup is unique, so what works for one might not work for another.
Stay observant, stay positive, and keep experimenting until you find the perfect incentive that gets your dog's tail wagging and their attention focused.
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