High value dog treats: when and what to use
Whether it’s a mischievous puppy or a recently adopted adult dog, training is not easy! Simply getting your dog to listen and obey your command is troublesome enough, but many owners also don’t consider the treats they are using and when to use them. High value dog treats are an important part of your training method and will reinforce good behaviour during training sessions.
In this article, we discuss:
- What are high value dog treats?
- What are low value dog treats?
- When to use high value dog treats (and when not to)
- Recommended high value dog treats
- Does your dog’s breed matter?
- T.Forrest’s high value dog treats
What are high value dog treats?
High value dog treats are usually the treats your dog won’t sit still for. They tend to have a stronger taste, contain more calories and could take more than a couple of bites for your dog to chomp down. Dogs also love meat. So smelly meat treats, whilst we may not enjoy the sell, are undoubtedly a preference for your furry friend. Natural treats also work much better. Whilst they may enjoy some dry biscuits, the texture and taste simple doesn't compare when it comes to natural dog treats vs processed treats.
Dogs are also more likely to work harder for them, making them ideal for puppy training and really nailing good behaviour. And just because they’re high value, doesn’t mean they are unhealthy. Some examples of high value dog treats include:
- Dried pig ears
- Rabbit ears
- Chicken feet
- Duck wings
- Jumbo sausages
- Wrapped trachea lung
- Chunks of meat
- Cheese cubes
What are low value dog treats?
Low value dog treats still need to be desirable treats for your dog but are less desirable than the high value options. They’re great for reinforcing smaller, positive actions and should be used regularly so your dog doesn’t see it as a special treat.
Low value dog treats, unlike high value ones, will typically contain less calories and have slightly weaker flavour and smell. However, this makes it ideal for repetition as you are not overfeeding your dog with too many treats. Low value dog treats could be actual treats or simply less desirable snacks you have around the house. This includes:
- Pure training treats
- Carrot
- Small pieces of fruit and veg
- Dog biscuits
When to use high value dog treats (and when not to)
High value dog treats are the perfect tool for training your dog. However, it is important knowing when to use them and when to opt for no treat and a lower reward option.
Firstly, to reward good behaviour you want to make sure your dog is putting in a little bit of work. So, when teaching a new command, a high value reward when your dog has completely mastered the command from start to finish. Any little teaching's in between, or stages where your dog has done part of the command, can be rewarded with a low value treat or no treat instead.
And it doesn’t just have to be used during training and commands for puppies. If your dog suffers with anxiety or you have adopted an adult dog, you can use high value dog treats to reward lots of different behaviours.
Don’t use high value dog treats when:
- Using simple and repetitive commands
- They are not eating their actual meal – it is not a replacement for their main protein
- Your dog is not obeying commands for lower value treats
High value treats aren’t always the solution, especially if your dog is not repeating the behaviour you want.
You want high value dog treats to remain a high value treat forever. So don’t overuse them as it could mean you’re overfeeding your dog, or they are less responsive to low value treats which could make it harder to train your dog.
Recommended high value dog treats
When choosing high value dog treats, the most important thing to consider is what your dog loves. It’s good to try a few different options and see what they respond well to, as well as being aware of any allergies your dog may have
To find the best options for specific health benefits, check out our blog on the best dog treats for dogs and puppies.
Some high value treats we recommend are:
Pigs ears, chicken feet and jumbo sausages are some of our most popular treats. It's important to only feed one of these per day, so perfect as an ideal reward at the end of training.
High value treats for puppies and training
- Meat strips (cutup)
- Mini sausages (cut up)
Our treats are suitable for puppies, but we do advise only using high value treats once your puppy is aged over 4 months. Our training treats are suitable from 8 weeks+.
Healthiest high value treats
All our treats have health benefits including being high in protein, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, low in fat and all treats are grain and gluten-free, ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Does your dog’s breed matter?
All our treats are marked as suitable for small, medium or large dog breeds. The majority of our treats are suitable for all breeds; however, treats should only make up around 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
This means if your dog has a higher calorie intake as a large dog breed, it is safe to give them more treats as long as it only takes up 10%. If you are unsure on how many treats you can feed your dog, please consult your vet.
T.Forrest’s high value dog treats
T.Forrest stock a huge range of 100% natural dog treats. We have low value training treats available, but many high value options, as well as healthy, long-lasting treats for weight management and mental stimulation.
Check out all our natural dog treats and get free next day delivery on orders over £29.99. Sign up to our newsletter for 10% off your first order.
