One of the most effective means to enforce good behavior in your pet is to train it with food as occasional treats.
Treats can be used in many activities related to your pet’s training, when socializing, during play, when it complies from you cautioning it e. t. c.
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But it’s possible to misuse treats when interacting with your pets.
This is a guide on how to use treats in training for your pets.
Using treats requires moderation from you and the people who have access to your pets to produce desired outcomes.
Appropriate usage of treats can help you drive an excellent level of compliance from your pets, and inappropriate use of treats can be dangerous for pet owners and the pets themselves.
What to Give Pets as Treats?
Choosing the right type of food to use as treats is essential.
Dry crunchy foods may fall in crumbs and distract your pet from a command.
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Soft foods that are cooked or raw, frozen apples, or chicken treats are typical treats to try with your pet.
When to Give Pets Treats?
Treats are used for one thing.
To show that you’re pleased with what your pet does at the moment it does it.
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A treat is used when you want to give your pet an impression that its actions are positive and encourage it.
A treat should not be given to bribe your pet away from destructive behavior.
How to Give Pets Treats?
1. Use a small number of treats. Maintain your treats’ value by giving your pet only a tiny quantity of it at a time.
You can give the treat in its steps as it proceeds to the desired behavior, and you don’t have to wait until it fully acquires the action before a treat.
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2. Timing is essential. Give your pet the treat in an instance that it can relate its actions to your reward.
Delaying your treat may cause the essence to become lost.
3. Don’t make a bribe out of your treat.
Don’t rely on treats completely to avoid your pet following commands only when they are available.
You may use treats to induce obedience by making specific gestures (e.g., making the pet come closer), but gradually removing the treat when it understands the gesture may be a chance for treats.
4. Use alternatives to treats. Occasionally substitute treats with other things like toys, clickers, special play, or praise e. t. c.
5. Change the treats to preserve the treat’s essence and ensure your pet doesn’t lose interest in the treat’s taste.
Finally, treats should be a valuable reward connected only with your pet’s obedience.
A treat should make no more than 10 percent of the daily intake of calories and be gradually reduced as the pet shows signs of living with the desired traits.
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The best outcome with treats is achieved in your pet’s training when accompanied by praise, playtime, or you releasing its favorite toy to play with for a short period.