training treats

Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

April 10, 2019 By Alina Jumabhoy

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Image courtesy of Daria @ Pexels

Is your dog a picky eater?

This can be so frustrating to deal with, and is something that can affect dogs of every age, size and breed.

So, how do you encourage a picky eater to eat?

Here are a few tips...

Establish a Routine

Dogs thrive on a routine, and this includes mealtimes too.

Since your dog is a picky eater, you may want to feed your pooch just once a day. This can actually be better for your dog's digestive system than being fed more than once.

Try to stick to the same times when it comes to your dog's meals too.

Put your dog's food out at the same time each day, and leave it down for half an hour.

What do you do if your dog hasn't eaten it after half an hour?

Remove it and feed it to your dog again at his next mealtime.

This may seem like tough love, especially if your dog scavenges around for treats after not eating his meal. However, your dog won't let himself go hungry, making this one of the best strategies for encouraging a picky eater to eat his meals.

Don't Feed Table Scraps to Your Dog

It may be tempting to share a small bite of your meal with your pooch, but this will only encourage his picky eating. Not only will this mean that your dog won't be quite as hungry when it comes to his own mealtime, but human food always tends to be more appealing to a dog than dog food.

This is something that the whole family needs to get on board with...

The whole household needs to be consistent about this. You need your dog to learn that human food is for humans, and the only food that your dog should be eating is his own food.

Cut Back on the Treats

Does your dog get treats throughout the day?

If so, this could be why he has become a picky eater...

He simply isn't hungry!

Try cutting back on the number of treats you feed your dog.

What if your picky eater is in training?

You can always use some of your dog's food as part of his training treats. This is easy if your dog is fed on a kibble. If your dog is on a raw or home-cooked diet, you can still use part of his meal allowance as treats. This could be in the form of cooked meat, dehydrated meat or vegetables.

Make Sure That Your Dog Isn't Dining Elsewhere

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Do you have a cat? Or how about any other pets?

Dogs can be sneaky and clever, and often end up eating other types of pet food behind their owner's back.

If you do have other pets around the house, make sure that your dog is not able to access their food. This will not only help with your dog's picky eating, but will also prevent the whole host of health problems that could arise from your dog eating unsuitable food.

Add in Some Variety

This can be tricky, and is only something that you should do if you are willing to carry this on in the long term.

Would you like to eat the same food every single day?

Chances are, you'd get bored pretty quickly.

Well, the same applies to many dogs!

If you feed your dog a kibble, it could be worth trying some different flavors, alternating these with each mealtime.

You could also add in some fresh foods, whether this may be fresh meat, vegetables, eggs or anything else that would be beneficial to your dog.

Topping off a meal with some bone broth will usually encourage even the pickiest eater to eat, and will also provide your dog with so many health benefits.

If your dog is only eating the extra additions that you are adding in...

It may be worth considering a food change. It could be that your dog simply isn't gaining the nutrition he needs from the food that you are feeding, or maybe he just doesn't enjoy it. Many kibble-fed picky eaters often find their love of food when switched to a raw or home-cooked diet.

Make Sure That You Are Feeding the Right Amount

Do you know how much food your dog should be eating?

This not only depends on your dog's breed, but also his weight, age and energy levels. The amount of food that you should be feeding your dog will change as your dog progresses through life.

Many owners often end up over-feeding their dogs. If your dog is eating, but doesn't finish his meals, this could be because you are feeding your dog too much food.

Make Mealtimes Fun

If a dog is stressed, he will find it difficult to eat.

One way to overcome this is by making mealtimes fun.

How?

Try turning the meal into a game of hide and seek. Hide small portions of food around a room and let your dog sniff these out and eat them. This will appeal to your dog's instincts of having to work for his food.

Of course, you don't want to have to be doing that every day...

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for a dog to realize how much fun eating can be with this method. You can slowly hide smaller amounts of food, ending the game with the rest of your dog's food in his bowl.

When to Go to the Vet

Sometimes, there can be a medical reason behind a dog who has suddenly become a picky eater.

How do you know if a vet visit is in order?

Here are a few signs:

If your dog refuses to eat anything, and hasn't eaten anything for more than 24 hours
Your dog has suddenly lost weight
Your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea
If your dog is sluggish or lethargic

It can be difficult to know how to deal with a dog who is a picky eater. Rather than giving into this, try some of the above tips to encourage your picky eater to eat his own food, as this will be so much better for your dog's health in the long run.

About Alina Jumabhoy

The challenge that rescue dogs provide is something that Alina always welcomes, and she never shies away from taking in and rehabilitating troubled dogs. Alina currently has four dogs, with all of them being rescues and ranging in size from a small bichon to a large pointer cross. Alina firmly believes that every dog has their own personality, and understanding this can be key when it comes to successful training.

5 Dog Training Tools Worth Owning

March 27, 2019 By Alina Jumabhoy

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Image courtesy of JenReginer @ Pixabay

Training is an ongoing part of owning a dog, which is why it makes sense to invest in some quality dog training tools when you are first getting started.

Wondering what you would need?

Here are five dog training tools that will make your training journey so much easier:

1. A Clicker

When training a dog, no matter how old the dog may be, a clicker is one of the best dog training tools to have.

Never used a clicker before?

It's a small training tool that makes a clicking sound whenever you press it. The idea is that you press it each time your dog does something right. Marking the behavior with this distinct clicking sound helps a dog to learn so much faster.

Don't want to buy a clicker until you know for sure that it will be useful to you?

Try downloading a clicker app on your phone. This works in the same way, playing a clicking sound whenever you press the button.

2. High Value and Low Value Training Treats

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Treats are usually an essential part of dog training, but it isn't quite as simple as grabbing any old bag of doggy biscuits.

Ideally, you should be using a mix of high value and low value training treats.

What's the difference?

High value treats are something that your dog really loves, be it cubes of cheese, dried liver, cooked chicken, or anything else. Low value treats would be items such as carrot slices, kibble, fruit, or any other treats that your dog likes, but is used to having on a regular basis.

The high value treats are what will really motivate your dog. However, it won't take long for your dog to get bored of them. This is where the low value treats come in. By mixing them up, you keep your dog guessing, keeping motivation high.

You can also use the high value treats to reward especially good behavior, and the low value treats for smaller accomplishments.

3. A Long Line

Recall training is something that so many owners struggle with.

Even if your dog has perfect recall now, this can often change for a number of reasons.

This is why it is always useful to have a long line in your bag of dog training tools.

What is a long line?

It's basically an extra long leash. It is lightweight but strong, and means that you will always have control over your pooch.

How long should your long line be?

They come in various lengths, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet, with some even longer. 30 feet is usually enough for training.

A long line can be used for things other than recall too...

Owners find it useful to keep their dog on a long line when training their dog not to eat things when out on a walk, or when introducing their dog to new animals. It gives the dog a sense of freedom, while giving you full control.

4. A Crate

Some dog owners believe that a crate is cruel, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Your dog's crate should be his safe place. It should be comfortable, and your dog should enjoy spending time in there.

It is so useful when training a dog, as it enables you to prevent a dog from misbehaving, while also helping with toilet training. A crate is helpful when traveling too.

Don't want to crate train because you think your dog will never need to use a crate?

You never know what could happen in the future...

If your dog were to get hurt in any way and end up at the vet, chances are that he will be placed in a crate. You want your dog to feel happy and secure in there, rather than scared and anxious, which is why crate training is a must for every dog.

Wondering how to crate train your dog?

Begin by feeding your dog his meals in his crate, along with special treats through the day. You can hide these treats in the crate at random times, encouraging your dog to explore the crate on his own. Make sure that you have plenty of comfortable bedding in the crate, and praise your dog every time he lies down in there himself.

It won't be long before your dog thinks of the crate as his safe haven, and will voluntarily spend time in there. You can then start closing the crate door, doing this for just a minute or so to begin with. Extend the amount you keep the door closed for, until your dog is happy to remain in the crate for a couple of hours.

5. A Whistle

While working dogs tend to be trained to a whistle, pet dogs are often not.

However, if you let your dog off the leash in open areas, a whistle can be so handy.

It enables you to call your dog back over long distances, when your voice simply wouldn't have been loud enough.

How do you train a dog to respond to a whistle?

Begin when your dog is near you. Blow the whistle and then immediately call your dog over. Give your dog a treat as soon as he comes to you.

Keep repeating this until your dog begins to associate the whistle with returning to you.

You can then increase the distance over which you call him with the whistle. Don't forget to also practice this in different locations. Dogs are contextual learners, meaning that they need to master a trick or command in a variety of places, with different distractions, before it is properly cemented in their heads.

There are so many different techniques and methods out there when it comes to dog training, but just about all of them will require the use of the above dog training tools. From clickers to mark positive behavior to a long line to reign in any negative behavior, these dog training tools are all worth investing in.

About Alina Jumabhoy

Muzzle Training Your Dog

December 18, 2018 By Alina Jumabhoy

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Pranidchakan @ Pexels

The majority of people out there who own a friendly, happy dog think that muzzle training is pointless, because muzzles tend to be associated with aggression. However, there are a number of reasons as to why your dog may need to wear a muzzle at some stage in his life, making muzzle training one of the best things that you can do for your pooch.

WHY WOULD MY DOG NEED TO WEAR A MUZZLE?

Even if your dog may not be aggressive, you may need to turn to a muzzle at some stage in your dog's life.

Reasons could include:

An injury – a dog may bite when in severe pain
Grooming – even if you desensitize your dog to the grooming process, he could still experience a negative situation at some point in his life that may require you to keep him muzzled when being groomed
Laws – these could be due to breed specific legislation, or even geographical location
Preventing unwanted eating while out – many dogs love to eat the strangest things while out on their walk, but this can often be dangerous. A muzzle prevents this from happening

If, for whatever reason, your dog does need to wear a muzzle, you want this to be something that your dog is happy to do.

Don't think that your dog would ever be happy wearing a muzzle?

Think again...

It all comes down to how you muzzle train your dog.

CHOOSING A MUZZLE

Before you begin muzzle training, you need to first choose a good muzzle for your dog.

There are several different types out there, but the best tends to be the basket muzzle. This is usually made from plastic or rubber, and fits like a basket over the dogs nose and mouth.

Why are these muzzles best?

Because not only can you easily slide treats through the gaps in the muzzle, but its shape and size enables your dog to drink and pant as well. Panting is extremely important, as this is how your dog cools down.

Whichever type you choose, you need to make sure that the muzzle fits your dog properly. Check that it isn't rubbing against your dog's face anywhere, especially the nose and the eyes.

If you are buying the muzzle online...

Make sure that you take the time to properly measure your dog. The wrong size could lead to painful chafing.

GETTING STARTED WITH MUZZLE TRAINING

There are a few different stages involved when it comes to successfully muzzle training a dog.

Keep in mind that all dogs progress at different rates, so be patient and consistent in your methods.

Begin with Treats

High value treats are key when it comes to muzzle training. Make sure you have something that your dog absolutely loves, such as cheese or meat. This is important when it comes to helping your dog associate the muzzle with positive experiences.

Then, follow these steps:

Show your dog the muzzle and then immediately give him a few treats
Hide the muzzle behind your bag for a few seconds
Bring it back out, show it to your dog, and give him more treats. Verbal praise is also important. Repeat this a few more times
Place some treats inside the muzzle and allow your dog to eat them from within the muzzle
Once they are finished, repeat that step a few more times

Keep going over those steps over several different training sessions. This will really help to cement your dog's positive reaction to the muzzle.

Adding in Vocal Cues

As your dog slowly begins to learn that the muzzle leads to treats, you can begin to add in vocal cues.

Say the word “muzzle” when your dog is about to place his face into the muzzle. The more you do this, the quicker he will learn what you want him to do when you say the cue word. This will make it so much easier to place the muzzle onto your dog in the future.

Securing the Muzzle

Once your dog gets excited at the sight of the muzzle, you can then move on to the next stage.

After your dog has placed his face into the muzzle to eat the treat, gently fasten it behind his head, but then unfasten it and take it off straight away.

Repeat this a few times, making sure that you are still placing treats into the muzzle for your dog. It could be worth mixing up the treats that you are using at this point, adding in a few different high value treats to keep your dog interested.

As you continue on, slowly start leaving the muzzle on for longer periods of time. Begin with 15 seconds, then 30, then 45, and so on.

Aim to have your dog happily wearing the muzzle for around 15 minutes by the end of your training. However, make sure that you always do something fun with your dog, whether this may be a walk or play, while he is wearing the muzzle. This will help him to see the muzzle as a good thing.

SHORT BUT SUCCESSFUL TRAINING SESSIONS

Whether you are muzzle training your dog or trying to teach your dog anything else, it is important to keep your training sessions short and sweet.

Why?

Because you don't want your dog to get bored or frustrated. This will only bring negative connotations to whatever it is you are trying to teach.

You don't need to muzzle train for more than a few minutes at a time. You can then repeat these sessions several times throughout the day.

Don't forget...

Always set your dog up for success. If you don't think that he is progressing enough, start again and go back to basics. It is so important to make this fun for your dog throughout the whole process.

You never know what may happen in life, which is why it is always important to be as prepared as possible. Muzzle training your dog may not be something that you have considered, but could really make a huge difference in your dog's life further down the line. Muzzle training is easy, as well as fun, so go ahead and give it a try!

About Alina Jumabhoy

Dog Training Treats: High Value vs Low Value

December 10, 2018 By Alina Jumabhoy

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Nicooografie @ Pixabay

While just about every dog loves to learn, training treats give them that extra bit of motivation. Whether you’re working on basic obedience training or something more advanced, understanding the difference between low- and high-value dog treats for training can make all the difference when it comes to your dog’s success.

What Are Training Treats?

Let’s begin with a quick look at training treats in general (later on we’ll give you examples of low- and high-reward dog treats).

In general, low- and high-value dog treats are ones you can use to help train a dog, meaning that they need to be quick and easy for a dog to eat.

They also need to be portable so you can carry them around to train in a variety of locations. As a bonus, they should be relatively tidy, especially if you’re going to keep them in your pocket.

Ideally, a good training treat should also be one that the owner physically delivers to the dog, rather than dropping or crumbling it onto the floor. Why? Because the drop or crumble distracts your dog and prevents him from fully focusing on you.

What’s the Difference Between Low- and High-Value Dog Treats?

side view of brown and white Chihuahua wearing a blue sweater straining for a treat

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Place a piece of meat in one hand, and a slice of carrot in the other. Hold both hands out to your dog, and see which one your pooch picks.

Chances are, they’re going for the meat, meaning that the meat would be an example of a high-reward dog treat.

In a nutshell, that’s the difference between low- and high-value dog treats for training.

Low-value treats are ones your dog is used to. While your dog will still work for them, their motivation will be less and they may lose interest over time.

High-value dog treats are ones that your dog absolutely loves, and will pretty much do anything to get. They should be treats that your dog doesn’t get on a regular basis, so they’re exciting each time.

Of course, every dog is different and will have different tastes. What may be a high-value treat for one dog could be a very low-value treat for another.

When Should You Use Each Type of Training Treat?

After reading the differences between the training treat values, you might be wondering why you’d use low-value treats at all, if high-value ones motivate your dog more?

Well, if you’re only giving high-value dog treats to your pup, then it won’t be long before these become low-value to them. The novelty wears off, and your dog will get bored.

Plus, you don’t need to be giving your dog an extra-special treat each time. Using these to mark significant learning moments will be much more rewarding when it comes to teaching new things.

So, when’s an example of a time to use high-reward dog treats?

When you’re first beginning to shape a certain behavior, stick to high-value treats only. After your dog has begun to get the hang of it, you can then switch to a mix of low- and high-value dog treats. This means that your dog will never be quite sure as to what treat they will get next, giving them plenty of motivation to keep trying.

What Are Examples of Low- and High-Value Dog Treats for Training?

outdoor photo of woman in red vest bent over holding out treat to shaggy black dog

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As mentioned earlier, training treats need to be quickly and easily eaten, as well as portable. These requirements can sometimes make it difficult to find a wide selection of both high- and low-value treats.

Mixing things up and keeping your dog guessing is always a good idea when it comes to training treats. Here are some ideas to incorporate low- and high-value dog treats into your training routine:

Low-Value Dog Training Treats

Low-value training treats could include:

Dried dog food: if you can find these in small sample bags, then you can mix and match different brands and flavors to keep things more interesting
Fruit and vegetable chunks or slices: if you find yourself having to use a lot of treats, healthy raw bites of a fruit or vegetable could be a good low-calorie option
Dog biscuits: many people use dog biscuits as a daily snack for theirdogsg. While your dog will still enjoy these as a training treat, they’re low-value because your dog is used to eating them

High-Value Dog Training Treats

Examples of high-reward dog treats could include:

Sausages or hot dogs: make sure you choose ones free of nitrates/nitrites, as well as low in sodium. Cut sausage up into multiple pieces to make it last longer
Freeze-dried meat: this is something that just about every dog loves. You can find them in both training treat sizes as well as larger pieces that you can cut up yourself
Cheese: mix a few small chunks of different cheeses into your dog’s training treats. You don’t need to use much as the smell from the cheese will rub off onto the other high-value dog treats. This will give even the low-value treats a cheesier appeal. Alternatively, opt for cheese in a tube, giving your dog a small lick as a reward
Dehydrated meat: you can easily do this yourself at home by placing thin slices of meat into the oven or a dehydrator for a few hours until they’re brittle enough to be easily snapped into small, training-sized pieces. You can do this with just about any cut of meat
Liver cake: this may not sound very appetizing to you, but it’s something your dog will definitely work hard for

There are many low- and high-value dog treats available at pet stores too. As you’re shopping, how do you know if the treats are high- or low-value?

This is completely up to your dog. If you’re doing a lot of training, it’s worth purchasing a selection of different treats to see how much your dog actually likes each one.

Understanding how to mix-and-match different low- and high-value dog treats for training is crucial when it comes to succeeding in training your dog. No matter what type of skill you’re trying to teach your pooch, the reward you provide them for learning new behaviors will help to speed up the rate at which they learn, while also keeping their enthusiasm at an all-time high.

Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

Establish a Routine

Don't Feed Table Scraps to Your Dog