I am a new Basenji owner (picking up my pup on Friday!). I have found mixed information when it comes to treats. Specifically I'm looking for info about treats/food used during training. I am also open to making them myself. ANY input will be appreciated!
Basenji Treats (training)
I use liver bites. It’s freeze dried liver chunks. The reason I like them is they are one ingredient, so I have more control over what they are taking in. Also, they are really easy to break into tiny little chunks which is great for training. They are also really smelly and tasty. My dogs will do anything for them. If your dog isn’t crazy about your food you can throw them in a blender and grind them down to dust and sprinkle it on their food. Good luck with your new baby! It’s so exciting to get your new puppy!
Make your own treats.... get a dehydrator... I make all kinds of treats from veggies to chicken
We have always used a good quality treat from the animal store. Our sisters love them. Also, it gave me a solid recall: I carry the treats in a plastic freezer bag that makes a lot of crispy noises and it's a bright blue. If I take it out when they are at a distance, they hear the sound and see the shape/color. They are with me in seconds! Enjoy your new life. Anyway, rely on your pup to teach you what (not) to buy...
Make sure your new pup is in the on-line Basenji database ! And while you are at it, let me have names, colors and genders of all the siblings ! Treats. First thing to teach your new puppy is 'TRADE !' Anything he steals - the word should inspire him to drop whateveritis and accept a treat in exchange. Mine get all kinds of veggies and scraps but when we are out in the woods and they re running free, I have a bag of their normal dry food. It seems to taste better out in the wild and doesn't affect their diet in any way ! They have developed quite a vocabulary over the years - TREAT ! TRADE ! CABBAGE ! and SPECIAL! among them. They love lightly boiled greens and the one thing to get them out of their arm chairs last thing at night is 'Cabbage !' While training - use voice and praise at least as often as edible rewards -
@zorroskeeper Hi, I give my Basenji chopped carrot. Apart from the fact that he will eat anything, he' getting a bit tubby any carrots work really well with no affect on his weight
@ceecee said in Basenji Treats (training):
@zorroskeeper Hi, I give my Basenji chopped carrot. Apart from the fact that he will eat anything, he' getting a bit tubby any carrots work really well with no affect on his weight
I did that all the time with my last Basenji. He loved stealing carrots from my horses, so I decided they would work as rewards, which they did. Just little pieces and he was happy to get them.
@sass7656 I have read that you have to be careful not to give "too much liver", but I haven't seen any difinitive information on how much is "too much". Do you know anything about this? Or, does anyone know about the side effects of the suggested liver overdose?
@tanza Just to add: If you don't have a dehydrator, use your oven at a very low temp (specifics can be found online).
I tested oven dried Sweet Potato out with my neighborhood puppy friends. The young ones went bonkers. The oldest could have cared less about it. Ah yes, teething might have had something to do with it... but, I was able to encourage a handful of new puppy owners to rethink the things they are giving their dogs.
@tanza said in Basenji Treats (training):
@eeeefarm - Carrots are high in sugar, so they can effect weight
At only 41 calories/100 grams, I wouldn't worry about weight gain. Probably one of the better choices considering what many people use for rewards. Getting a sugar high might be more of a question but in any case I never overdid treats with my guy, and he was never overweight.
I do see an issue with training that involves constant rewards, as some people don't seem to understand the concept of weaning off the treats once the dog understands the behaviour and has it on cue. Intermittent, unpredictable rewards have a stronger influence (which is why people go to casinos!).
@eeeefarm said in Basenji Treats (training):
Intermittent, unpredictable rewards have a stronger influence (which is why people go to casinos!).
PREEEECISELY ! Keep 'em guessing. Sometimes there will be a reward, sometime a pat or praise. Voice is a very important component in any training program.
@eeeefarm I think I would rather risk high sugar that what unknown rubbish in shop bought treats. Also, as I always seem to attract other dog wanting treats, which I'm happy to give not so many lke carrots.
@tanza said in Basenji Treats (training):
Make your own treats.... get a dehydrator... I make all kinds of treats from veggies to chicken
Dear Pat,
This may be the only bad advice I've ever seen you give, roflmao.
I bought one, and after one use, threw it in the trash. Gag.
I suggest that you find someone with a dehydrator and borrow it first.
@ceecee I make my own treats using a dehydrator. Meats, veggies, fruits. I eat them too!
@debradownsouth Love mine use it every week, my dogs love everything that comes out of it too.
I might try again. It's hard and about triple the cost to get high quality treats here in Israel.
@debradownsouth What are you doing in Israel? Did I miss something Debra?
Yeah, I posted months ago that my daughter and I were moving to Israel. We and the dogs left from JFK airport on Dec 26. We're living in Haifa..so if you ever visit Israel, I'll have a bed for you! We love it here.
@debradownsouth WOW, Debra.... how exciting... totally missed that... email me privately at tanzab@aol.com and tell me all about it... don't want to hijack someones thread!