Treats are so important for your canine companion for a variety of reasons. For example, dog training treats serve as a vital tool when you’re working on obedience training or you’re trying to teach your dog new tricks from a dog training book, as they serve as an incentive and a reward for following your commands. Treats can also encourage physical activity and they can serve as a nutritional supplement for wet dog food or dry dog food; yes, even recipes that come from the highest quality dog food brands.
While there’s no denying the value of dog treats, the question still remains: how often should you offer your furry friend treats? The answer to that question is this: it depends. What does it depend on? A variety of factors, including the reason why you are offering treats and how much your canine companion eats during mealtime.
For example, if you are using treats as a training tool, stick to only offering them when you are actually working on training. If you give them more frequently, your canine companion may not view them as something that he needs to work for, but rather, he’ll come to expect them. In other words, he’ll be less inclined to exhibit the behavior you are attempting to reinforce because he’ll be so accustomed to getting treats, even when you aren’t working on skills training. If you’re offering treats specifically as a supplement for dog food – to tide your pup over between meals, for example – make sure that you are only offering them between meals and not randomly throughout the day. Remember: consistency is key with canines, even when offering dog treats.
You should also consider the caloric intake of your canine companion and adjust the size of your dog’s meals to allow for the additional calories that the treats contain. Failing to do so could result in unwanted weight gain, which can be problematic and cause a variety of health issues. You might want to consider reducing the size of your pup’s meals as well as switching him to a dog food for weight loss to avoid a big spike in the amount of calories he consumes on a daily basis. If you aren’t sure what the proper serving size is for your furry friend, speak to your veterinarian or an animal nutritionist.
Dog Treats: Things to Consider
No matter how often you serve your pup treats, make sure that you are offering him a nutritionally balanced option. Treats made by reputable brands – Blue Buffalo dog food, Addiction dog food, and I and Love and You dog food, for example – are your best bet, as they’ll be made with the wholesome ingredients that are good for your pooch.
Alternatively, instead of purchasing commercially produced dog treats, you can offer your furry friend human foods that are safe for canine consumption; carrots, apples, and oats rolled in peanut butter are all nutrient-packed treats that will certainly please your pup’s palate.
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