Using Dog Treats as a Training Tool

Using dog treats is a great way to train your pet. By rewarding him for good behavior or obeying your commands, you can motivate your puppy to sit, heel, lie down, come and fetch more readily. Using treats, as well, can help you more easily house train him too.

Use Treats to Teach Your Dog to Sit

Probably one of the more simpler commands to teach your pooch is how to sit. Begin by putting some treats in your pocket. Use tasty treats such as small pieces of liver, cheese or chicken. When you want your pet to sit down, hold the treat above his head and say the word, “sit.” When he complies, give him a treat and lightly pat him on the head. Reinforce the meaning of what you’re saying at mealtime. Hold your pet’s dish over his head until he sits down. Don’t give him his meal until he heeds your command.

Use Doggy Goodies to Teach Your Puppy to Lie Down

In order to get your dog to lie down, first tell him to sit, then bring the doggy treat past your dog’s nose to the ground and emphasize the word “down.” Once your hand hits the floor, slowly move your fingers holding the treat away from your dog so he’s unable to attain the treat until he’s completely prostrate. This particular trick takes a lot of patience as dogs sometimes don’t quite understand the cue you’re giving them. When he does finally catch on and lies down, give him a treat and add a pat on the head for encouragement.

Use Treats as a Reward to House Train Your Dog

Treats also come in handy when you’re house training your pet. Reward him every time for doing his business outside. You’ll be successful in your house training efforts if you place an emphasis on your dog’s good behavior with an extra tasty treat.

Use Treats When Your Dog Takes His Medicine

If your dog must take any kind of medication, you can make the process easier for him and yourself by rewarding him with a delicious morsel when he does what he’s told. Teach him that taking medication can actually be a “rewarding” experience.

Teach “Come” to Your Pet by Using Treats

Teach your pet to come to you by using a tasty tidbit as a bribe. This is probably one of the most important commands as it establishes that you indeed are in charge and that it’s important that your dog mind you as well as stay within your sight.

Once you train your dog with treats, gradually replace them with words of praise so you’re not completely dependent on them for directing your pet. Also, don’t confuse Fido by saying “Sit” one time and “Sit Down” the next. Stick with the same word every time you issue a command and follow up with a treat to obtain the type of behavior from your dog that will make it easier to communicate and relate to him.