July 1, 2008 – Like a lot of things involving dogs, we often do more than we need to do, at their expense, because it makes us feel good. I think it’s good to get into the habit with new dogs of very few treats, selectively given – training, reinforcement, period. Many treats are unhealthy. They are expensive and contribute to clutter, and often mess up carpets and sofas. Too many dogs are overweight. Many more become obnoxious pests, begging, lunging and crowding us because they associate us too much with food, and manipulate us into giving some to them. Treats get them aroused as well as fat. They should be given sparingly and thoughtfully. And I love the great dog training maxium: never give a dog anything for free.
  If you give them a treat, they ought to do something for it, always – like sit or lie down.
   I use treats for training and for reinforcement – come, sit, stay, no street.  No treats anywhere near meals with humans, no human food of any kind, except put in dog bowls. If you establish this pattern, or even re-establish it, then that becomes the tradition. As I wrote yesterday, there is a big difference between what dogs need and what we need to give them because it makes us feel warm and cuddly.
  In between training issues and positive reinforcement,  I am really paring down on their use. No more expensive dental chews unless the vet says they are necessary. One or two treats a day.
 And one biscuit (lo-fat) just at night, to help settle the dogs down. They love to take a treat and vanish into their corners, and it’s a nice transition to nightime. If they come back and get more, the whole purpose is defeated. My dogs take their treat, vanish to eat it, and are not  seen for hours.