Titbits!

[Holly]

Any suggestions for irresistable titbits? Beatle is not keen on any of the numerous ones I have tried. She will have two or three but then looses interest. Even if she is hungry and due for a feed the most she will do is lick them and turn away. I've made my own liver cake, tried sausage, cheese, carrots and in desperation various commercial varieties. The other dogs love it all so I don't think it's my cooking!! She would much rather have lots of enthusiastic praise as a reward than food.
She doesn't like being hand fed and is slightly better if I put them on the floor. I've asked other family members to try and she's the same with them.  She starts puppy classes next week and I really need her too be enthusiastic about some form of titbit. She will recall like a rocket if she thinks I've got a ball or a toy in my pocket but not for food.
She eats her meals well and her weight gain is normal but she doesn't like eating between meals...must have been talking to my OH. Me I'm always up for the odd snack !!

[Marian]

You lucky thing having a cocker who isn't treat orientated. My dog Harv is the complete opposite and won't do anything unless he sees me delving into my pocket for some goodies!!

I used Peperami to get Harv through his training exams! I'm sure it's not healthy and kisses can be a bit smelly afterwards - but it can be cut up in to tiny weeny pieces and who cares if you get a spicy kiss every now and then!!

Harv will do anything for a strawberry too, but they're not so great in your jeans pocket during training class!

Good luck both with the puppy class. Have fun!!

Marian

[EmC]

Have you tried tuna or anchovys? Peanut butter is another one of Jarvis's faves although for him there is nothing better than sausage!

Emma and Jarvis

[Dunton4]

I use "Coachies", tiny heart-shaped treats that are natural with no added nasties.  They are incredibly small, but Tilly would do anything for them.  I buy them from my local petshop and I think they are quite easily available.

You should find that your trainer is quite happy for you to train Beatle using toys for a reward rather than edible treats.  I was told by a police dog-handler that her drug-sniffer springer was trained with a game with his ball as a reward, rather than something edible.  As soon as Frank found something he was immediately given the ball for a few minutes.  Of course, it is important to teach the "give" command if you want to train for more than one exercise during a session  .

I wouldn't worry about Beatle not responding to treats, some dogs just aren't food orientated. 

Like Harv, Tilly has to know there is something edible for her before she will agree to do what I want her to

sue and Tilly

[Joules]

I have started using Coachies too - they are good and easy and clean to carry about!  Also, Natures Menu do natural treats which Coco loves - they sell them in my local Tesco.  Otherwise, I have made tuna bread which she loves too and is really easy to make and quite healthy - less revolting to make than the liver cake.      Some people use little bits of cooked chicken. 

If she is not food orientated you can use a toy as a reward instead though - maybe let her have a short game with the ball or a big fuss or cuddle if you are in puppy class.  If she responds to this, then you can reward her this way instead of with food.  I was taught that rewards could be food but also praise, a game, or a toy or even getting the dog to work for you.  Each dog is different and each one has it's own idea of what is a treat!! 

[ali]

barkley is completely un-food orientated too. it does make recall a bit tricky at times to say the least! 

the other day he was running around with two other cockers and just would not come back to me.  the other owner kept saying 'i have treats, i'm sure he'll come for them' and sure enough, her two were instantly glued to her side but barkley just was not interested in the slightest. we realised very early on that his thinking must be along the lines of, 'if i go back, i get a treat, but i'm not bothered so i wont go back'.

squeaky toys are definitely the way to go at the moment for us but i do feel a bit silly running around the fields squeaking! 

[Cob-Web]

It is possible to increase food motivation by using the daily food allowance as treats, so it's the only time they get fed; its amazing how much more motivating it can be 

Obviously, this is not recommended for a young puppy - but as they get older it can be useful for recall training during those teenage months, for instance 

[Holly]

Thanks for all the help. Lots of support and ideas. I'll let you know how it goes, puppy class tonight!!

squeaky toys are definitely the way to go at the moment for us but i do feel a bit silly running around the fields squeaking!

Ali, I'll be joining you!! I've just had some very funny looks in Tescoe's because I forgot about the ball with a bell in it that was lurking in my pocket so I jingled my way round the shop.

[Joules]

Ali, I'll be joining you!! I've just had some very funny looks in Tescoe's because I forgot about the ball with a bell in it that was lurking in my pocket so I jingled my way round the shop.

I have had the same problem.  People give me funny looks as I often let out a high pitched squeak whenever I sit down due to the squeaky mouse in my pocket!   

[scooby's mum]

As a pup, Scooby wasn't at all food motivated - he wasn't really interested in treats or his meals, hence he was always underweight 

However, he did love (and still does) those doggy choccy drops and I'd take those to puppy classes because they were really the only treat he'd eat 

[Bertie]

Sasha's favourite titbits for training are: Coachies (as mentioned before), Puffed Dried Jerky (she goes mental for this), James Welbeloved Pure Incentives (I'd say her favourite - not cheap but does the trick!), Natures menu treats and fresh cooked chicken! It is difficult to try to find something they like and we tend to take a mixture of the above to the training classes, but believe me if you can find something they go mad for, it makes the training easier - at least it did with Sasha anyway.