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FR Treat Test for Your Dog!
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By
Dr. med. vet. Sabina Büttner - Feb 14, 2020
Sometimes you want to reward your dog in a very special way! If you know which treats he likes best, it's very easy to do.
Are you doing special training with your dog and want to motivate him in a very special way? In this case, it's good to know what kind of reward treats he loves to eat most. These special treats are then exclusively given during this training. If he obeys otherwise, he may also be rewarded, but only with other treats.
Here's how it works:
- Buy several small packs of different dog treats, from fruit snacks, various meat snacks, to liver pâté or sausage.
- Arrange the treats in an order, starting with those you think your dog likes least, up to those you think your dog prefers.
- Have your dog sit in front of you and take one treat in each hand, starting with those your dog probably doesn't like as much.
- Close your hands into fists and let your dog sniff both fists.
- Move both hands about the same distance from your dog's head and open your fists.
- The treat your dog eats first is the one he prefers.
- Replace the eaten treat and add a new one that you suspect your dog might like even more.
- Let him sniff the closed fists again and observe which of the two treats he eats first.
- Continue until you have found his absolute favorite treat.
Often, the most popular treats are not necessarily the healthiest. For example, the very popular sausage pieces are quite high in calories and salty. However, if they are only given in situations where you want to motivate your dog to cooperate in a very special way, then that's not a problem. It's important that you take the given reward treats into account in his daily feeding and reduce the amount of food accordingly!
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How do I find out which treat my dog likes best?
To determine your dog's favorite treat, purchase several small packs of dog treats. Let your dog sniff your closed fists, each containing a treat. The treat your dog eats first is the one they prefer. Repeat this process until you have found the absolute favorite treat.
Should I give my dog his favorite treat during every training session?
It is advisable to use the favorite treat only for special training sessions where you want to particularly motivate your dog. For everyday training, you can use other treats to preserve the special significance of the favorite treat.
Are the most popular treats also the healthiest?
Not necessarily. Popular treats like Cervelat pieces can be high in calories and salty. However, as long as they are only given in special situations and the daily food amount is adjusted accordingly, this is unproblematic.
How can I ensure my dog doesn't consume too many calories from treats?
Take into account the reward snacks given during daily feeding and reduce the food amount accordingly. This way, you ensure that your dog does not consume too many calories.
What should I do if my dog has an allergic reaction to a treat?
Should your dog have an allergic reaction to a treat, contact your veterinarian immediately. They can help you confirm the allergy and take appropriate measures.
