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What is the most delectable, yet easy to transport dog treat?

27 replies

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 02/09/2010 15:17

I've been working with our one-year-old labrador since we got her (we did go to one set of classes and have done the rest using advice from books and dh's prior knowledge of dogs). She is reasonably bright and does pick things up, but the one thing that I really want her to be utterly reliable on is the recall, and she's not, yet.

When we're out walking, she will come back to me almost every time for a bit of gravy bone, unless there's something more interesting like another dog or a person. I only ever walk her places which are very quiet, and frequented mainly by other dog walkers, so they are pretty understanding when she goes up to them and wants to play, but I know that this is not good behaviour, and I should be able to make her stop and come back to me.

Can someone tell me what is the absolute best yummy treat to use - I thought if I worked on stop and recall with one especially delicious treat that she got only for that, this would quickly reinforce the behaviour I want.

Thankyou in advance - I want to be a responsible and good dog owner, and feel I am letting myself and the dog down in this particular area.

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Madsometimes · 02/09/2010 15:32

Our trainer used cocktail sausages cut up into small slices. Ham and cheese is also good. These are higher value treats than dried training treats available from pet shops. I think tasty and smelly is a good rule of thumb.

YunoYurbubson · 02/09/2010 15:35

Cheese.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 02/09/2010 15:38

I like the sound of cocktail sausages - at least if the dog isn't behaving, I can console myself with a tasty snack....

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Alouiseg · 02/09/2010 15:40

I make liver cake which has my naughty puppy running to me at the sound of the lid being opened.

MrsSnaplegs · 02/09/2010 15:40

Not very fashionable but wear a bum bag to keep treats in as it keeps them out of your pockets!

I have always used cheese but I have heard good things about liver cake - only problem is making it yourself is supposedly really smelly!

Alouiseg · 02/09/2010 15:44

It is a bit smelly but a couple of oranges popped in the still warm oven tends to wipe out the smell.

Bella32 · 02/09/2010 16:07

Gravy bones? Mine would laugh if I tried to recall them with a gravy bone Grin

I use mini sausages, cheese, hot dogs, value packs of roast chicken bits, ham and anything sprinkled with Parmesan. Smellier the better!!

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 02/09/2010 16:27

Has to be liver cake, it's not that bad to make and is very quick, I freeze it and there is enough to last ages and it costs practically nothing.

Liver cake

8oz lambs (or any other) liver
4oz self raising flour
2 eggs
2 cloves garlic or 2 tsps garlic puree

Put all ingredients in a blender and whizz until mixture is smooth, pink and runny (not too rigid a requirement if you prefer to make it a bit chunky). Pour into a greased swiss roll tin (I line it with baking parchment) and bake in oven a gas mk 4, 180C. for 30-40 minutes.

Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces.

If freezing, it's best to do it on baking sheets, then put it all in a tub in the freezer that way it doesn't stick together.

I have a little dog training bag thing for treats, clicker, poo bags and whistle.

mrsjuan · 02/09/2010 16:31

We used sausages and cheese. Strangely he'd also do a great recall for a segment of satsuma.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 02/09/2010 18:39

I will try the hot dogs, and if those don't work, I will try the liver cake - thanks for all of these!

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Vallhala · 02/09/2010 20:51

I seconnd liver cake. I've yet to meet a dog who will turn it down. :)

gingerali · 02/09/2010 20:53

I third liver cake! lol

fluffles · 02/09/2010 20:56

my friend trains recue greyhounds and always uses cheese...

she's now got a greyhound that doesn't even bother chasing rabbits!!!

EdgarAllInPink · 02/09/2010 20:56

sausage. cooked, in a sandwih bag.

tulpe · 02/09/2010 21:34

WTWTA if you don't freeze the liver cake, how long will it keep for in the fridge?

MrsJohnDeere · 02/09/2010 21:41

Leftover roast chicken
cheese
leftover naan bread
sausages
ham

the only thing my springer won't eat is liver bread!

Doodleydoo · 02/09/2010 21:44

in my previous experience labradors are keen fruities so the satsuma ain't much of a suprise - my parents dog used to go and steal raspberries from a raspberry bush in the garden, and the current one jumps up at a small apple tree for apples - peculiar creatures Hmm Grin

sorry not massively useful but you never know!

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 02/09/2010 21:48

Our lab picks blackberries - she grabs them by the mouthful off the bushes as she walks past. I wouldn't mind, but I want them to make blackberry and apple crumble with!

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Scuttlebutter · 02/09/2010 22:00

Cheese - Any greyhound within a mile will magically appear. The smellier the better. Also hear very good reports of frankfurters sliced and then baked, as a good treat for out on walks. Ours are also very partial to cocktail sausages, cold chicken and that funny plastic ham.

Laska · 02/09/2010 22:31

Liver cake. I've yet to meet a dog who doesn't want to work hard to earn pieces of it! Grin

Just remember to cut it up really very small (pinky fingernail sized) as it's still a great reward for them when it's a little taste at a time Wink

Doodleydoo · 02/09/2010 22:32

mind you - labs do like pretty much anything - turkey? ours went mad for that!

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 02/09/2010 22:41

We have yet to find anything that our lab won't eat. I could list all the things she enjoys eating, running the gamut from cow poo to salmon steak, but I'd be here all night.

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fruitshootsandheaves · 02/09/2010 22:44

My spaniel won't come back for any treat when he is out.
He'll always come back for a ball thou :)

Doodleydoo · 03/09/2010 10:00

SDTG - yes hide all food and in our house it was soft toys too from any lab.........

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 03/09/2010 10:06

Yep - ours is death to any soft toy. We sometimes buy her the soft dog toys that have a squeak in them (a duck or pheasant or teddy type thing) and they usually last less than a day before she's desqueaked them (oh how I wish I could have done that to the boys when they are little) and spread the kapok all round the downstairs!

I swear that all the stuffed toys cringe to the back of the shelves when we go into Pets At Home now! Grin

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