Training dogs can be quite a difficult thing sometimes. One thing that makes it to hard is we don’t speak dog and dogs don’t speak human, so verbally explaining to our dogs what we want them to do just won’t work. I don’t push and pull my dogs around to get them to understand what it is I want them to do as no one likes to learn this way, nor do I brow beat them into submission so they simply go along with me as they are frightened to do anything else. To help me get over to them what I would like them to do, I use my clicker and treats.
There are different levels of treats. When it comes to training something new or in an area where there are many distractions, I bring out the tasty treats. For something they have learnt well and have completed lots of times, I use the lower value treats. When I say lower value, I mean things like dried kibble and shop bought training treats. Don’t get me wrong, they are still quite tasty to my dogs, but they are similar to the food they get every day and they no doubt think ’why should I work so hard now as I’m going to get a bowl full of that stuff later?’. To put it another way; you are offered a cheese cracker and asked to do something special that takes a lot of hard work or thinking power and in an hour you are having your lunch which is a box full of cheese crackers complete with cheese. Would you work hard for that one cracker? Maybe you would, but the chances are if you were offered something that you really find tasty such as a huge slice of cream cake or a roast chicken dinner, you would work that little bit harder with your carefully prepared packed lunch all but forgotten.
Now, I’m not saying you should feed your dog cream cakes or a roast dinner. I’m saying for the demanding tasks, offer something tasty. This can be hot dog sausages (smelly and tasty, most dog’s dream!), small pieces of cheese (make sure they are small as cheese is fattening), chicken, beef, ham and so on. I often use left over meat from a roast for training treats. I also make liver cake. I have yet to find a dog that will turn its nose up at this delight in my treat bag. Personally, I loathe liver, but it flicks my dogs’ switches so I make it and freeze it then I always have some to hand.
I found a recipe by Sarah Whitehead and adapted it ever so slightly…
1 lb liver, 1 lb flour, 3 eggs, 2 garlic cloves, oil and milk or water. Liquidise the liver, eggs and garlic together and then add the flour. Add some oil and enough milk or water to make it into a smooth cake mix. You can either put it into a microwavable dish and cook on full power for about 10 minutes or bake in the oven on gas mark 5 for about 30 minutes or until firm to the touch. Cut into small pieces and freeze. If not freezing, use within 24-36 hours. Note that if you don’t quite like the smell of liver, you will want a scented candle on the go or an air freshener to hand…
And there you have it, home made treats that your dog will love you for and won’t cost the earth to make.
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