Are dog treats really helpful?

All dog food brands offer treats. Are these little goodies truly necessary, or are they just a marketing gimmick? Let's find out!

What is a treat?

Treats are tasty and delicious, but they can't replace a complete meal. They're a bit like candy or cakes for us. So, are they really necessary? One might think it's a kind of anthropomorphism and that dogs (and cats, for that matter) don't really need treats.

While dog treats are not essential from a strictly nutritional point of view, they do have their place, whether for training sessions or for sports training, for example.

In what situations should dog treats be used?

Dog treats do have their uses. Of course, you can choose to give your furry friend a few treats simply to make them happy.

But treats can also help you in several cases:

• Reinforcing a behavior: during training sessions: to learn a new trick or a new command, treats are your allies!
• Interrupting bad behavior or avoiding an uncomfortable situation: on walks, they can help to divert your four-legged companion's attention so that he refocuses on you;
• Soothe and encourage: you can use treats during socialization, they can also help to defuse a situation that scares your dog;
• Motivation: If you practice a sport with your dog, such as agility, treats will be essential for training sessions; they will also serve as snacks for endurance sports!

Treats are a delight for your little companion, making something that might initially seem negative more appealing. Yes, our pets are foodies, so we should take advantage of this little weakness!

Dog treats: one of the keys to positive training

You may have heard of it: today, positive reinforcement training (also called the positive reinforcement method) is used to train puppies. This method involves reinforcing good behaviors (those desired by the owner or trainer) and ignoring bad ones. The goal is for the dog to cooperate, without forcing it. Treats are used to obtain the dog's cooperation.

Here's how to teach your dog a command using a treat:

1. Lure the dog with the treat so that it performs the command you want to teach it ("lie down" for example).
2. When the dog performs the command, say the word you wish to associate with it (in our example it will be "down").
3. Give the treat and reward the dog (with your voice and/or a caress).

You will obviously need to repeat this several times until the dog understands that performing this action earns him a reward. You can then gradually reduce the frequency of treats and rely solely on verbal praise or petting.

How to choose treats for your dog?

Just visit a pet shop and you'll see for yourself how vast the selection of dog treats is! It's not so easy to know where to start!

You can find everything, and the quality isn't always there!

To help you, here are some criteria to check to make the right choice:

• Opt, of course, for special dog treats that will better meet their nutritional needs;
• Dog treats should be free of added sugar to prevent the risk of obesity;
• Check that the ingredients are mostly of natural origin, and/or organic, this is a guarantee of quality;
• Make your choice taking into account your dog's age and weight;
• Choose biscuits that can be broken into pieces, this will allow you to give less during training sessions;
• They should be easy for you to handle;
• Choose treats that are easy to chew for your dog. He needs to be able to eat them quickly.

Tips for using dog treats correctly

Be careful not to give your dog too many treats. It's best to cut them into small pieces. Also, avoid letting your little companion only obey you for treats; that's not the goal!

We also recommend varying the treats you give your dog. This way, you can identify the ones your dog likes best and use them for more challenging commands.

Now you know all about dog treats. They're real tools for training your furry friend, whether it's a puppy or an adult dog, so don't hesitate to use them! Just be careful not to give too many to avoid weight gain, and choose them wisely!

If you have any questions about treats or would like to share your experience, feel free to leave a comment!