Uses of Dog Treats

We love treats as humans but it is safe to say that dogs love them more. These tasty nutritious goodies aren’t just used to keep our darling canine buddies happy; they are also used for other reasons.

Therefore, for those who aren’t aware of what these other reasons are, we have you covered. In this quick read, we will discuss the various uses of dog treats. We will also reveal the type that will be perfect for the reason you will be giving these snacks to your pet. 

Before we go into all that, we should mention something very important. Irrespective of the reason why you will be giving your pup these tasty goodies, you need to be mindful of calories. These food items usually contain high levels of calories. Therefore, to ensure that your pooch doesn’t get overweight as you feed them, you should always pay attention to the calories contained in each treat. Click here to learn how to manage your dog’s calories. 

One way to prevent over-feeding your tyke is to give them these snacks occasionally. If you decide to give them daily, then you should do it in little quantities and spread the servings throughout the day. 

Treats should not make up above 10% of your dog’s overall diet. This is a guideline to ensure that your dog stays healthy even as you give them these additional food items. 

With that said, let’s look at the uses of treats:

1. Bonding

Most folks give their canines treats to show them that they love them and that they are special. This act allows the dog to bond with the owner. 

It has been observed that dogs that showed some form of hostility to their owners at first warmed up after receiving snacks over time. Hence, if you want your dog to come to love you and bond with you, then giving them treats should do the trick.  

In addition, the happier your dog is as they come to enjoy your company, the healthier they’ll be. Hence, you get to kill two birds with one stone. 

The best type of treat to give your pooch for this purpose is the crunchy type which includes kibbles, bars, cookies, biscuits, etc. 

2. Training

This is another popular and common use of treats. These items are used to train canines and strengthen good behavior. The pattern used is to reward the dog with a treat when they perform the right action in training or they behave as they should. 

To properly take advantage of this reward training method, you should be able to determine which treat your dog regards as high, medium, and low value. Having this knowledge will enable you to reward your mutt accordingly.

The high-value snacks should be given when your poodle displays the best behavior or performs exceptionally during training. Most hounds consider smelly and soft treats to be high value compared to those that are crunchy. 

We recommend you give snacks that are small and can be eaten fast when training. This will enable you to carry out repeated actions and constant reinforcement without having to feed your pet excess calories. Also, you should use varieties to prevent your pet from becoming bored. 

Bear in mind that the reward should be done immediately after the behavior is displayed or while it is being displayed. When that is done, the idea that they are doing the right thing will be reinforced in their minds. Visit https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/reinforce-your-dogs-good-behavior/ to learn more about reinforcing your dog’s good behavior.

3. Pass Time

If your dog is very energetic or anxious and you need it to calm down, or you are trying to make it identify its crates as their positive zone, then you can achieve this with treats as well. However, the type used matters. 

For this purpose, you will need snacks that are slow-eating. You can use chews that are long-lasting such as a bully stick. Another option is to use animal parts such as rawhides or pig ears; just make sure they are free of contamination. You can also use a bone-like snack (not a bone as they are dangerous) such as a carrot. 

4. Cleaning Teeth

Some snacks and special chews are designed to help your dog clean its teeth as it chews on these items. Since teeth that are not well-maintained can lead to dental issues and bad breath, then this option is most welcome. 

We should mention that this doesn’t in any way replace regular teeth brushing; however, as most pet parents have come to realize, the routine can be very difficult to follow. Therefore, in the event one fails to brush the teeth of their canine buddy, these snacks can act as temporary substitutes.  

Chews that are long-lasting, as well as large hard foods, will take a lot of time to break down. Hence, as your pup munches on the items, the scratchy mechanical action will help to keep to teeth clean. As a bonus, your Fido will be entertained with the whole process. 

5. Supplementing Health

If your mongrel is refusing to eat or is picky, then treats can be used a variety thereby providing them with the nutrient they require to stay healthy. Some of these products are specially manufactured to serve as supplements to keep dogs healthy or even treat certain conditions. You can check holistapet treats page to learn more about these kinds of dog treats.

Therefore, if your dog’s health is not what you desire, find a snack that is designed for this purpose and offer it to your furry friend.

Conclusion   

In the article above, we have shared with you 5 main uses of dog treats.