Training Treats for Picky Pups?

We use roast beef or liverwurst for our un-food motivated dog.  You can break it off into bite sized pieces, & it isn't terribly expensive.

Anything smelly......Feeding Blue may be part of the "fussiness" since it contains really GOOD ingredients and none of the bad ones.  Most of the cheap treats are chock full of junk.

To me, a training treat should be no larger than my pinkie nail.....anything more and they have to stop and chew and that interrupts the training process.  You might want to try using kibble as treats.  Some dogs are just fine with that.

 Haven't met a dog that would pass on some stinky cheese or some cooked chicken breast (maybe cooked in a tad bit of garlic salt).

I also have really good luck with string cheese.  It's lke doggie crack!

I've never seen a dog turn dog hot dogs before either... I like to overcook them, so they aren't so slimy. Works great for specific training - but you don't want to overdo it!

 my new favorite is beef stew meat cut into kibble sized pieces, browned with a tiny touch of garlic powder.  I freeze it and then have a little bag in the fridge that I reload with the freezer supply.  The meat is so cheap ($2.25/lb at Costco) it is as cheap or cheaper than lots of stuff.  I use this not chicken due to allergies.

Also I discovered that for occasional excitement he goes crazy for those bacon treats - I think it is the kid who never gets candy, ha ha.  He only gets healthy real stuff so that fake stuff was extra special.

Hot dogs (I cut into slices and then microwave on a paper towel for about a minute which leaves them dryish, not so much they choke and not slimy) and string cheese are always good

Gracie turns her nose up at hotdogs.  However, when her auntie Lani offers turkey dogs, she takes them!

As for store-bought treats, I find the freeze dried liver from Gimborn is good (although I realize some people don't want to pay that price, or use liver, period.)  Oddly, I get 70% good luck with Bil-Jac treats, and Charlie Bears are rarely refused - maybe 80% compliance.  I have to switch them up constantly, so I've tried probably 35 different brands/styles - Train Me Treats, Authority, even junk like Carry Out Cuts, which are surprisingly in my top 5 of useful treats.  The Gimborn liver is still the winningest.

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The Gimborn liver is still the winningest

Interestingly, that company (Gimborn) is literally right around the corner from my office.  They make these treats right there...but...I can't go in there and buy the treats, I have to order them online.

My fave is hot dogs as well.  My boys will do anything for some hot dog!!

 If he likes his kibble.... use kibble! My dogs get kibble, for everyday training. They work for their meals, more often than not. For learning something new, we do it at home, in the quiet, so kibble works for that, too. It's not messy, it's nutritious, and he already likes it. Why not?

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...even junk like Carry Out Cuts, which are surprisingly in my top 5 of useful treats...

My German Shep inhaled Carry Out Cuts like they were pure crack, but she was super selective about what food she would take from me ;o)  This pup is more interested in chewing my toes than getting a good treat it seems! Bil-Jac was also one of my more popular treats, but he snubs them.

Thanks for all the suggestions...I was hoping to avoid perishable food products just because I always like to have a few treats on me to make everything a learning experience, but if I have to go that route I have some good things to choose from!

If you would like a shelf stable treat, try the Wellness line of treats---the Pure Rewards are just bits of jerky that come in a variety of flavors, beef, venison, etc....always a popular favorite.  Solid Gold makes a nice line of "smelly" jerky-type treats, as well.  Zuke's is another popular training treat option.  Mine also love the Carnivore Crunch by Stella and Chewy's (they are freeze dried raw treats).

 Those are some great suggestions! Thanks!  I'll have to see if my local feed store carries them, or if I'll have to order online.  They have some excellent selections for quality kibble, but I don't think they have much in the way of treats by the same companies.