3 Wrong Ways to Treat a Dog

When I say treat a dog, I mean dog treats, yummy goodness that dogs will do nearly anything for, not behaviorally treat, or medicinally. Got it? Because, believe it or not, there are wrong ways to treat a dog, just like there are wrong ways to give treats to children. And no, none of my wrong ways involve a stranger in a van handing out yums. But you should totally watch out for that. Stay tuned to the end, though, and I’ll show you some correct ways to treat a dog.

Give your dog treats all day instead of food – this is wrong. This is like giving a toddler cupcakes and candy, potato chips and soda pop all day instead of healthy food. Our common sense kicks in with children, but it doesn’t always kick in with dogs. Treats are meant to be dessert, or a small reward, a celebration. They’re not meant to be food. So the first wrong way to treat a dog is offering treats instead of food.
Give your dog cheap treats from the dollar store, from the clearance bin – no! Good, healthy dog treats don’t have to be expensive, and it’s okay to give your dog that bone shaped cookie from the bank drive thru, but as regular treats? No. Just like treats for toddlers, it’s not okay to give toddlers soda pop every day as a reward or treat, so don’t give your dogs cheap junk every day. I know I blog for Jones Natural Chews, so I’m partial to their treats, but they’re quality meat and bones, not a ton of ingredients I can’t pronounce. Find treats which are low in ingredients, all natural treats, good quality. You’ll find that your dog will start to turn its nose up at inferior treats after awhile. And for the record, Jones treats aren’t too pricey.
Give that little dog the giant bone – not so much. While it’s not a bad thing to give the little dog the giant bone, it IS a bad idea to give the big dog the small bone. Give your dog treats which are size appropriate. This also translates to chew appropriate. Aggressive chewers, regardless of their size, shouldn’t get pork bones or lamb bones. Only beef bones for big dogs and aggressive chewers. What I’m trying to say here, is that you need to pay attention to your dog’s chewing ability and treat accordingly. Just like you wouldn’t give a tiny child something they could choke on, you treat dogs according to their size.

The Right Way to Treat a Dog

Those are my big three wrong ways to treat a dog. Sparingly, quality, and appropriately for their size and ability. What’s the flip side of that, you may be asking. Well, here we go.

Jones Natural Chews – c’mon, you knew that would be number one! Even if you don’t give your dog Jones, please treat according to their standards. That would be all natural treats that are grown and sourced in the USA. The treats are single or low ingredients, with high quality ingredients. And they’re not too expensive for most dog owners. I love that they keep things affordable, while making sure dog owners have safe, healthy options.
Use treats for specific things – dogs learn so quickly and so well, and treats make that even easier. Just like kids, dogs read their adults. They play us if we let them. Be intentional about treating your dog. Make them work for the treats, or have it be at a specific time every day that they get a treat. This makes it special for both of you. And you don’t run the risk of over treating.

And that’s it. I’m sure you have your own rules, yes? Those are just mine.

Giveaway

Speaking of treats, Jones Natural Chews is giving some lucky dog a Windee treat! It’s a single ingredient treat, a beef trachea, and your dog will love it! Click on this sentence to be taken to the post, then scroll down to the Rafflecopter to find instructions on how to enter! Tweeting daily racks up points, which betters your chance to win!

Spreading the good chews …

Flea