When did the world become obsessed with dog treats?

[BigFatLabNoMoreTreats]

Or is it just my area?

TLDR: why does everyone insist on giving a dog a treat and why do they act offended when you say no?

I have working dogs that I train and work, so they are not pets as such so I have not experienced this side of dog ownership.

I am dog sitting a very fat lab, owner is my sister and she swears the dog is on a diet and that they keep to it- she has gone away for nearly six weeks so I have taken dog with the intention of helping him lose some weight as it is affecting his life. Have the measured out food- vet can't understand why he isn't losing, sister swears she is measuring the food.

Turns out she is correct - the problem is the constant treat giving wherever we are. Postman, bakers, pub, random people on the dog walk. Most of these treats are complete crap.

On our day out today Hugo was offered 20 treats, most not even training treats- high calorie dog McDonald's style treats.

I said no, I had to physically stop two people who were genuinely offended when I said no he can't have one. The person said I was starving the dog and he 'looked' hungry. (He looks like he has eaten a whale, he certainly does not look hungry)

Why is this seen as acceptable? I will keep saying no but would be interested to know how do you deal with it if you don't want endless crap being fed to your dog.

(Aside, Hugo has very expensive, allergy free food, sister is keen to give good quality food- but has never thought about the crap he is given- I've spoken to her btw, she had never realised)

Do you live in a touristy place? I can't understand why everyone has treats else.
My dog has been into town with me. We have visited the butchers, a charity shop, clothes shop, Super drug type shop, post office and the vets that is also the pet shop. The only one with treats on offer is the vets and I allow treats there as I want them to associate going to the vets with good things. Although ironically, they don't actually have treats in the consultation rooms.
I found when we went to a tourist hot spot treats were more readily available.

I would be majorly pissed off with someone who threw treats on the floor for my dog after I had said they aren't allowed any. That would have made my sprocker seriously ill. Bastards!

@BigFatLabNoMoreTreats honestly? They're pretty good about it. But they don't need to bribe my dogs to be good which is usually why vets are giving dogs treats! The one benefit of showing dogs is they get used to being touched from a young age, so a trip to the vets is nothing.

The only thing I have ever struggled with is children trying to touch the dogs (no food involved) because it's a 'pretty doggy'...and that's slightly harder to combat than the 'food' issue. You can be blunt and fairly frank with adults but it's a bit harder with children

Almost every shop and cafe in my town gives out treats to dogs. My dog thinks going shopping, which we do about one Saturday in three, is amazing. Luckily we both work so trips into the town centre are limited.

I don't see any harm in it. If you don't want your dog to have them, don't take them into that shop/cafe

I don't see any harm in it. If you don't want your dog to have them, don't take them into that shop/cafe

There have been several posts above that cite the harm, but I do understand why some people are not worried, as above it probably depends on your dog, much easier for small dogs. But I don't see why other people's desire to give treats should stop non treat people from going to cafes/shops. I went to a good shop today, it said if your dog would like water or a treat please ask.

Just like people treats. Everyone rewards themselves with food now. No wonder so many humans and animals are obese