Dog Community

Liver sausage: the miracle meat

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:18:44 PM

Has anyone given this to their dogs for training?

Last week at training class abbie was a crazy maniac trying to attack every dog. I couldn't even get her in to a heal, she was so bad. So this week I decided to up the reward. I bought some liver sausage. When I gave her the first piece for looking at a dog that walked by then looking at me, she made a face like WTH and spit it out. But then she sniffed it and ate it. The next look on her face was omg give me more! I had her full attention after that. She did fantastic the entire class. I had her sit in the middle of the room while the class heeled around us. Abbie would look at a dog then at me. It was wonderful. She heeled, came when called, stayed, watched and we even worked on stand. She did not attack or lunge at any dog.

Thank you liver sausage!

So what are some other very high value training treats? I don't like slimy hot dogs. They get natural balance all the time so that is not too high value.

erica1989

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:27:34 PM

What about an overcooked hotdog? I used to cut them into little pieces (not too small - they shrink) and overcook them in the microwave - so they'd get real hard like a treat, and use them that way.

jdata

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:39:53 PM

I use beef liver, beef heart, beef tongue, chicken breasts for training treats.

Jewlieee

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:42:04 PM

Do you cook that stuff? If so, how?

Anonymous

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:42:27 PM

I will have to try that liver sausage with Fynn. Right now he's only motivation is squeaky toys. Found that out in class last night. Someone had a squeaky toy and he would not pay any attention to me!!

sl2crmeg

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:47:56 PM

I scrambled an egg with some shredded cheese and a sprinkle of bacon bits, and then chopped it into bits with a pizza cutter. Cheap-o! :)

BlackLabbie

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:49:24 PM

kle1986
Right now he's only motivation is squeaky toys.

Apollo is the same way! When I was working through his leash reactiveness we used a squeeky toys or a tennis ball. Food really wasn't a good motivator for him.

But, in the house/yard learning little tricks (like "roll over" and "crawl";) we used a ham steak, cooked, cut into cubes.

Anonymous

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:54:30 PM

Fynn will smell the food and if he takes it he usually spits it back out. So Im gonna get him a squeaky toy that fits in my hand to use and see how he does with that.

If I used a ball with Joker he'd go crazy for me to throw it. With treats he knows to be calm and do what is neccasary to get the treat. Ball is meant to throw not taunt the dog with it to do tricks!

BlackLabbie

Posted : 2/18/2009 9:59:44 PM

kle1986
If I used a ball with Joker he'd go crazy for me to throw it. With treats he knows to be calm and do what is neccasary to get the treat. Ball is meant to throw not taunt the dog with it to do tricks!

See, we used the tennis ball as a high value reward, not really tauting, he got the ball after focusing on me for a few seconds after a strange dog passed us. He would carry the ball for a few feet then spit it out, I'd pick it up and put it back in my pocket. So, when we saw another dog he'd look at me like "where's the ball?" so I'd hold it, let him look at that (not the dog) then toss it to him. It worked for us. He also plays fetch with the tennis ball. But he knows he needs to sit and wait for me to throw the ball. If it wasn't a controlled game of fetch Apollo would be a nut- barking and whining for me to throw it NOW!

Anonymous

Posted : 2/18/2009 10:08:53 PM

Well I dont think using the ball in a conformation ring would be good for Joker. Lol. I dont know if they allow balls being thrown and a dog chasing after it! Treats work for Joker otherwise I would use the ball.

BlackLabbie

Posted : 2/18/2009 10:15:11 PM

kle1986

Well I dont think using the ball in a conformation ring would be good for Joker. Lol. I dont know if they allow balls being thrown and a dog chasing after it! Treats work for Joker otherwise I would use the ball.

Haha, I don't think they would either! This is just what I used for Apollo on our walks.

Pwca

Posted : 2/18/2009 11:44:04 PM

Liver sausage is good but reminder- don't EVER feed it to dalmatians! :P

We use bolagna at training class and dogs go mad for it. The really cheap greasy kind.

calliecritturs

Posted : 2/19/2009 12:23:23 AM

Take a package of plain beef liver and saute it lots of olive oil (pretty quick -- only til it's 'set' and then take off the heat). Cool totally and then cut into wee tiny pieces.

Spread on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam. Bake in a cool oven (about 200 degrees) for about 2 hours. Store in an air-tight container. Treats for training that absolutely rock. You can do the same thing with beef heart.

ALSO

My dogs absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the little Gerber Graduates freeze dried apple and freeze-dried banana/strawberry bits. They LOVE them -- major high value for my guys. I took some with us when I took Tink to the vet yesterday cos I knew he'd have to have tons of blood drawn -- and Dr. Bailey was laughing at how much she LOVED them but that they were something totally good for her but low cal.

micksmom

Posted : 2/19/2009 8:35:41 AM

Jewlieee
Has anyone given this to their dogs for training?
...So what are some other very high value training treats?...

Most dogs I've encountered, including Mick and Caleb would have stood on their heads for liver brownies. An even higher value treat for Caleb is pumpkin brownies. Real easy to make- canned pumpkin and oatmeal, spread thin on a cookie sheet and baked for about 45 minutes to an hour.

mrstjohnson

Posted : 2/19/2009 8:56:08 AM

Charlie would sell my soul for anything that had to do with cheese. I use string cheese cut into little rounds and use that.