Dog Training Treats

[Redrum]

Hi - I'm trying to train my dog the recall on a long line but having no such luck ! I am also trying to train him to bring his toys back to me once thrown for him to 'fetch' but he is just not interested...he is not a greedy dog (labrador) but does anyone know of any irresistable treats to entice him and make his 'training' times more fun ? He just doesnt seem interested in bits of chees or ham etc...he is a retriever too but is not too hot on 'retrieving' lol - he is 16 months old.

[lankeela]

Well thats a first lol, a Lab that is not greedy! I thinks its a case of teaching him to retrieve rather than just throwing things, i.e. you have to teach him to 'hold' whatever it is you want him to fetch, and to 'give' it back to you on command.
You do this by placing it in his mouth, making sure it something he can easily hold and pick up, i.e. a long soft item, hold your hand under his jaw to keep it closed (very gently) and once he is happily taking it from you and holding it for a while and then following your command to 'leave' or 'drop'dropping it back into your open hand you can progress to placing it on the floor and asking him to 'hold' or 'take' it whichever command you use. Then you can throw or place it a distance away, and take him on the lead and give him the command hold or take, and when he picks it up run backwards a few paces and encourage him to follow you, but be ready to quickly catch it if he drops it. This then leads to him coming back with it and sitting in front of you when you can give him the command leave or drop.

This is of course one way we teach an 'obedience' retrieve
but if you don't want to go down the formal route, then its just a case of hoping he will one day get the idea, but some dogs will never retrieve even if its what they were bred to do. Anyway, you will no doubt have lots of fun trying!

[lankeela]

As for the recall, same sort of thing, use the lead to call him in to you encouraging him and going backwards, shortening the lead like you are reeling in a fishing line, then when he gets to you give him the sit command and make a gentle fuss. You can use titbits but if he is not bothered there is little point. The trick is to teach it all a step at a time, no good calling him and telling him to it if you haven't yet taught the sit! Build it up a short distance at a time and don't try it off the lead until you are sure he will come and sit in front. Same with the next bit, going round behind you and coming up to sit on your left, which is what is called 'the finish'. Make sure he sits in front facing you when he comes to you, then wait a while and use your lead to take him round behind your right leg, swap hands to your left hand and lift the lead up telling him to sit.
It all sounds so easy on paper!

[happy_face]

Snap what Lankeela has said.

With regards to treats make sure you ALWAYS use treats that are extra special and only used when training and not an everyday treat.
Cooked chicken is great if you want something quick and easy. I usually make my own dog treats where I mix some fish e.g. tuna or sardines (the smellier the better) with some wholemeal flower, eggs, teaspoon of marmite, 1 clove of garlic, water. Then I form them into tiny little balls and bake in the oven until golden brown and crips.
It smells a bit in the house so make sure you have windows open. But you'll find your pup salivating when you take them out of the oven :-)

You could also make banana biscotti. There are loads of treats you can make yourself by looking up on the net.

[happy_face]

forgot to add, make sure treats are as small as possible as you will be using loads in training and remember to feed that less in the food or you'll end up with a barrel of a dog

[heathfield]

As for treats, I haven't yet come across a dog that doesn't go for Frolics. (And you can break them into little pieces).

[lankeela]

If you can be bothered, this is what we use to 'bait' our dogs in the show ring:

LIVER CAKE RECIPE.

Those of you who show dogs may well have used Liver cake to bait your dogs in the ring but for those of you who may not have heard of it below we have printed the recipe for this cake as it seems to have the effect of holding your dogs attention whilst in the ring and has the added advantage of not making one's hands sticky.

8ozs Liver [preferably Lambs]
4ozs S/R Flour
2 Eggs
2 Cloves Garlic/ or 2 tsps garlic puree.

Put all the ingredients into a blender until the mixture is smooth, pink and runny [not too rigid a requirement if you prefer to make it a bit chunky' Pour into greased swiss roll type baking tin and place in the oven [Gas Mark 4] for around 30-40 minutes.
Leave to cool and cut into bite size pieces.
It can be frozen into individual bags [enough for a show] and makes enough for 4/5 shows.

[happy_face]

Frolics are full of additives - wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
What's the point of training a dog with something that's going to make it hyper from too many E numbers.