Treats for my 8 week old puppy?

[Rubenkhan]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum,infact I'm new to all things cocker spaniel! Just wondering what treats are good for an 8 week old pup ? He is on Pro-plan 3 times a day as instructed by the breeder,but I would now like to start teaching him some commands. Is it ok to give hime peanut butter at this age and if so does it have to unsalted and smooth? Can you reccommend other training treats suitable for his age?
The breeder said I can give him veg mixed in his kibble,but is there any sort of veg that you have found unagreeable? Also,can I give him fruit and what type?
I was told he can have scrambled egg too!
Looking forward to feeding my lil baby some tasties!
Oh,he seems to like snoozing alot,is this normal?

Thanks

[Danni and Freya]

Although its not something i've tried, i've read on COL that using bits of thier own kibble as training treats is good when they are this little. And as for the snoozing, very normal as hes a growing baby. Enjoy it, you'll need every spare minute you have when hes running round more!  

[mooching]

Although its not something i've tried, i've read on COL that using bits of thier own kibble as training treats is good when they are this little.

Yup, that's what I did with Alfie.

We bought some Puppy Coachies as well, but he wasn't overkeen on them at the start, as I think he found them hard to crunch.

[Jeanette]

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-treats-fish4dogs-snacks-c-223_601_617/fish4dogs-super-star-treats-50g-p-3098

and http://www.dogtraininginfo.co.uk/little-liver-treats.html


a lot of treats you can buy in pet shops are limited to a tiny amount per day so the above along with kibble are good for when you need to use a few i.e. if you are clicker training. 

[Rubenkhan]

thanks everyone, does clicker training work? so ,you basically click and feed a treat everytime they do something you want?
As you may have noticed, i haven't a clue!

[ElaineH]

We used regular kibble as training treats for Morgan initially, we just used part of his normal daily allowance. After a few weeks we started buying Nature's Menu treats, small, log-shaped meaty treats that we cut into smaller pieces, it helped to have something a little bit tastier at puppy classes to try to help keep him focussed (wish it had worked better though!  )

I can't remember when we started giving him peanut butter but we didn't do it for quite a while, and yes, unsalted is definitely best. We now buy tubs of it at Holland and Barrett's, it's salt and sugar free.

[Karma]

For training in and around the house, using the kibble is ideal - but as Elaine says, outside or for very important things (like recall) it can be useful to use something tastier!

We used small peices of cheese, or cooked sausage for puppy classes, and that went down well.

Clicker training is great - it basically works as a clear cue that they have done something right.  You need to be confident on your timing - if you are training a "sit" it is better to click just before they put their bum on the ground rather than just as they are getting up again.  And you need to be sure you ALWAYS reward for a click, even if you have clicked in error.  Take a look at this site for some hints on getting started and where you can go in future! http://www.clickersolutions.com/

[Jane and Sara]

After a few weeks we started buying Nature's Menu treats.

We give all our dogs Nature's menu treats 

[mooching]

For training in and around the house, using the kibble is ideal - but as Elaine says, outside or for very important things (like recall) it can be useful to use something tastier!

We used small pieces of cheese, or cooked sausage for puppy classes, and that went down well.

I like using Cheesestrings for recall and at puppy classes, because it already comes in packaging, is clean and practical to use, and is also not too smelly. The one time I used frankfurters for training treats Alfie wouldn't leave my side and kept jumping up - it was as if frankfurters were just *too* exciting a prospect!

Whereas the Cheesestrings achieves the same purpose (he loves his cheese and his recall is really sharp for it!) without the pong and the excess attention!

[Rubenkhan]

You guys are brilliant! thanks,I didn't know I could give him cheese!

[Danni and Freya]

I use natures menu treats for recall they are very cheap and the dogs love them. I might have to try cheese strings though, thanks for the heads up mooching 

[mooching]

Rubenkhan, I'd recommend just very little bits though, and I personally resrerve cheese for recall and things like "leave".

[Sheepscheeks]

I make tuna bread for Freddie, got the recipe from Willows Kitchen website but can't get it to work now. I can PM you the recipe or re-post here. Freddie has a sensitive tum but has always been fine with the tuna bread. Use small cubes of cheese for recall.

[mooching]

Rubenkhan

What variety of Puppy Pro Plan is Ruben on?

[Rubenkhan]

Its called Purina proplan opti-start, have looked on the pack for what flavour but it doesn't say. The breeder gave it to me. Is it any good?