Healthy Treat Alternatives? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Honeypaute · 06-18-2009, 10:10 AM

Was hoping to find out some healthy treat alternatives from the board because my CoCo has figured out how to "milk the system". I got her just a couple months ago. She is my puppymill survivor and is 2.5 years old. The fastest thing she learned is that she loves treats! I have been leveraging her food motivation with treats to aid in potty training. Of course now she is has outsmarted the system. She will go out with me and pee. Then runs to the door, no matter how many times I put her back in the yard she goes back to the door. I go in, give her a treat, take her back out then she will poop and go back to the door to go inside and get treat #2. Because potty training is so new to her, I don't want to stop giving either treat because I do want to reward her for pottying outside but I fear that doing this several times a day is going to keep her from slimming down, as she has been a full figured gal since I got her. Any advice on what to utilize as treats that may be a bit healthier?
Thanks!

xmasbaby75 · 06-18-2009, 12:21 PM

Some healthy treats are carrots, bananas, green beans, chicken, yorkie yummies (made by the YT member Chattiesmom), yogurt, peanut butter, apples (no skin or seeds), almost all fruit (except for grapes, and citrus fruits - too much acid) -- of course they must be cut up tiny for them. Most veggies are okay too (no onions or garlic) and some may be gassy like broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

bdb5853 · 06-18-2009, 12:24 PM

We love kona's chips around here. Home | Kona's Chips They are 100% chicken, nothing else so very healthy. She has a new line out now called chicken crispies and they are also 100% chicken, but baked into a thin, crunchy cracker. Also a big hit. You might check those out!!

If you are serious about trying a sample (and not just trying to rack up freebies), she'll send you a free sample. It's a GREAT company and I can't recommend it enough. If you do a search on here for kona's chips you'll find lots of great testimonials.

Great for training as you can break off tiny bits and the dogs go NUTS for them.

No, I don't work for her or even know her personally, just a happy customer.

chachi · 06-18-2009, 12:24 PM

Mine like tiny pieces of mellon as a treat. In the summer we always have some kind of mellon in the house

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 12:28 PM

Dog trainer says fresh cooked meat. She gets what's on sale, cooks, chops it and freezes pieces for the week. I buy my two chicken breast and whatever meat we are eating. I give only tiny pieces as a reward. They too have figured out the more they go to the bathroom the more chicken...lol!!! So, the smaller the pieces get...trying to out smart the out smarters...

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmasbaby75

Some healthy treats are carrots, bananas, green beans, chicken, yorkie yummies (made by the YT member Chattiesmom), yogurt, peanut butter, apples (no skin or seeds), almost all fruit (except for grapes, and citrus fruits - too much acid) -- of course they must be cut up tiny for them. Most veggies are okay too (no onions or garlic) and some may be gassy like broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

Why no garlic?

amytude · 06-18-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccag

Why no garlic?

garlic and onions can be harmful for most animals.

Phoebe "milks the system" too in the exact same way, smart little stinkers!

Deliliahs_Mommy · 06-18-2009, 01:50 PM

Well I give my dog baked chicken, carrots or pea pod.
I've been trying my hardest to make sure that she gets as little 'filler' foods/treats as possible.

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amytude

garlic and onions can be harmful for most animals.

Phoebe "milks the system" too in the exact same way, smart little stinkers!

On animal planet, I've seen them put garlic in food because the smell makes the dog eat more?????? hmmmm, good to know because I was in cook mode this afternoon and almost made the puppies fresh garlic meatballs....

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccag

On animal planet, I've seen them put garlic in food because the smell makes the dog eat more?????? hmmmm, good to know because I was in cook mode this afternoon and almost made the puppies fresh garlic meatballs....

Wow, I just googled it and look at the wide variety of answers...I'd rather be safe than sorry: Can a dog eat garlic? - Yahoo! Answers

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccag

On animal planet, I've seen them put garlic in food because the smell makes the dog eat more?????? hmmmm, good to know because I was in cook mode this afternoon and almost made the puppies fresh garlic meatballs....

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccag

Why no garlic?

Great Jonah ate a lot of grapes with the kids the other day...

amytude · 06-18-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccag

On animal planet, I've seen them put garlic in food because the smell makes the dog eat more?????? hmmmm, good to know because I was in cook mode this afternoon and almost made the puppies fresh garlic meatballs....

Yes, there is some debate about it. Garlic is a natural antibiotic so you would think it would be a good thing but it has been known to cause anemia in small animals. I also have sugar gliders and it is a firm no-no for them so I think it has to do with the size of the animal. Since we are unsure, and our dogs are so small it would seem the risks outweigh any possible benefits.

xmasbaby75 · 06-18-2009, 02:36 PM

Garlic used to be used (years ago) to prevent fleas, but now it's been studied, and it is toxic (in larger amounts) to dogs. Also, grapes (over time and in larger amounts) will cause kidney failure.

rebeccag · 06-18-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmasbaby75

Garlic used to be used (years ago) to prevent fleas, but now it's been studied, and it is toxic (in larger amounts) to dogs. Also, grapes (over time and in larger amounts) will cause kidney failure.

Wow, yeah I won't do that again...didn't know...thanks!

xmasbaby75 · 06-18-2009, 02:39 PM

Don't feel bad, most people do not know, and that's what makes YT such a great place to learn!

06-18-2009, 10:10 AM	#1
Honeypaute No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: cincinnati,oh, united states Posts: 176	Healthy Treat Alternatives? Was hoping to find out some healthy treat alternatives from the board because my CoCo has figured out how to "milk the system". I got her just a couple months ago. She is my puppymill survivor and is 2.5 years old. The fastest thing she learned is that she loves treats! I have been leveraging her food motivation with treats to aid in potty training. Of course now she is has outsmarted the system. She will go out with me and pee. Then runs to the door, no matter how many times I put her back in the yard she goes back to the door. I go in, give her a treat, take her back out then she will poop and go back to the door to go inside and get treat #2. Because potty training is so new to her, I don't want to stop giving either treat because I do want to reward her for pottying outside but I fear that doing this several times a day is going to keep her from slimming down, as she has been a full figured gal since I got her. Any advice on what to utilize as treats that may be a bit healthier? Thanks!

06-18-2009, 12:24 PM	#4
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Mine like tiny pieces of mellon as a treat. In the summer we always have some kind of mellon in the house __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

06-18-2009, 12:28 PM	#5
rebeccag Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 2	Dog trainer says fresh cooked meat. She gets what's on sale, cooks, chops it and freezes pieces for the week. I buy my two chicken breast and whatever meat we are eating. I give only tiny pieces as a reward. They too have figured out the more they go to the bathroom the more chicken...lol!!! So, the smaller the pieces get...trying to out smart the out smarters... __________________ I'm hoping God helps me be the person my dogs think I am.... Rebecca , Jonah & Ksena

06-18-2009, 02:36 PM	#13
xmasbaby75 YT Graphic Artist Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RI Posts: 9,607 Blog Entries: 2	Garlic used to be used (years ago) to prevent fleas, but now it's been studied, and it is toxic (in larger amounts) to dogs. Also, grapes (over time and in larger amounts) will cause kidney failure. __________________ Shadow Dancer (RIP) , Gellica, Li'l Sapphire, Phantom, & Brandi Blu (RIP)

06-18-2009, 02:39 PM	#15
xmasbaby75 YT Graphic Artist Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RI Posts: 9,607 Blog Entries: 2	Don't feel bad, most people do not know, and that's what makes YT such a great place to learn! __________________ Shadow Dancer (RIP) , Gellica, Li'l Sapphire, Phantom, & Brandi Blu (RIP)

06-18-2009, 12:21 PM	#2
xmasbaby75 YT Graphic Artist Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RI Posts: 9,607 Blog Entries: 2	Some healthy treats are carrots, bananas, green beans, chicken, yorkie yummies (made by the YT member Chattiesmom), yogurt, peanut butter, apples (no skin or seeds), almost all fruit (except for grapes, and citrus fruits - too much acid) -- of course they must be cut up tiny for them. Most veggies are okay too (no onions or garlic) and some may be gassy like broccoli, cauliflower, etc. __________________ Shadow Dancer (RIP) , Gellica, Li'l Sapphire, Phantom, & Brandi Blu (RIP)

06-18-2009, 12:24 PM	#3
bdb5853 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 115	We love kona's chips around here. Home \| Kona's Chips They are 100% chicken, nothing else so very healthy. She has a new line out now called chicken crispies and they are also 100% chicken, but baked into a thin, crunchy cracker. Also a big hit. You might check those out!! If you are serious about trying a sample (and not just trying to rack up freebies), she'll send you a free sample. It's a GREAT company and I can't recommend it enough. If you do a search on here for kona's chips you'll find lots of great testimonials. Great for training as you can break off tiny bits and the dogs go NUTS for them. No, I don't work for her or even know her personally, just a happy customer.

06-18-2009, 01:50 PM	#8
Deliliahs_Mommy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 2	Well I give my dog baked chicken, carrots or pea pod. I've been trying my hardest to make sure that she gets as little 'filler' foods/treats as possible.