11/09/2024
With new classes starting next week, it is a good time to talk treats!
When clicker training, expect to use a LOT of treats! Choosing the right treat can make the difference between a great training session (or class), and one that is just so-so. Dogs learn best when the rate of reinforcement is high. That is, they get a lot of rewards in a short period of time. SMALL, soft treats work best for clicker training, as they can be eaten quickly but won't fill your dog up. Treats that are no larger than a pea are a good size for most dogs. If you have a small dog, you can make your treats even smaller. While dogs do enjoy hard crunchy treats, these take longer to eat, and will slow your training down.
The value of the treat is very important. If your dog doesn't want the treat, you can't reward your dog with it. Think about how excited your dog gets (or doesn't get) about different foods. A piece of kibble likely won't be as exciting to your dog as a morsel of steak. A bit of hot dog may be more valuable than a piece of cheese. Every dog is going to have different likes and dislikes, so experiment with some different treats and find out what appeals most to your dog. Treats that will be high value to most dogs include steak, chicken, turkey, venison, pork chop, liver, hot dog, and cheese. If you're teaching a new behavior, working on a difficult task, or training in a high distraction environment, you'll want a high value treat. When practicing something your dog already knows well, or training in a low distraction environment, a lower value treat should work well.
It's also a good idea to vary your treats. Try to keep a variety of treats on hand, so you can choose the treat (or treats) appropriate to each training session. In some training sessions, you may use a single type of treat, like small pieces of cheese. Other times, use a mix of treats, such as a few pieces of pork chop tossed in with some pieces of kibble or store bought treats. When you do this, a dog might get mostly lower value treats, but he knows the possibility of getting a high value treat is there. This can be very motivating to a dog.
The treats pictures below are a mix of baked beef and venison. They have been divided up into portions that can be used within a few days. I'll keep one bag in the fridge, and freeze the rest. This way I can make treats in bulk, but don't have to worry that they'll spoil before they are used.
