When you have your dog standing at shows what do you use as a reward? Also what do you use as a reward while training for shows at home? I have been using ham chicken and bits of smacko's i am looking for new ideas. Any ideas welcome Lois :-)

We use Liver Cake for our dogs

I work with many different foods and methods :_ small pieces of hard cheese strong if poss. liver cake works well or you could just buy  cheap pack of lambs liver and either bake or boil for about 1/2 an hour adding a clove of garlic makes it even more inviting.Tesco do some very smelly tripe sticks too. As you will have gathered the emphasis is on strong scented food, that way you do not always have to have the food in your hand. the smell will linger on your fingers long enough for you to get through a class. Some dogs go crazy when there is food about so maybe rustling paper (such as a crisp packet) a small squeaky toy in your pocket( not to be used when in line up) Sometimes all that is neede is for you to pay attention and talk to your dog, we have all seen tha class where the exhibitors are so busy chatting thay have no idea of what the judge or their dog is doing.
I would suggest that whatever you try, do it for a few days before moving on to the next.

Bits of meat, cheese, i even used a pepperami once (really smells) as it was the only meat thing I could find in a small garage on the way to a show as I forgot to pack the treats.  I always wear a jacket for showing and they know when that jacket goes on that i have food in my pocket.  Great for sending into super alert mode just before entering the ring.  As for training as home I never treat apart from a fuss, as i want them to perform that extra bit at shows, so it is a show only thing for me.

Emma

At our club we use tuna cake which the dogs love. The recipe is available on the club website http://www.whiteleaf-dtc.co.uk/ look under treats section.

They look fab, Thankyou Polly :-)

hi loislane,

I have had some really fussy dogs in my time but what i found really does the trick (with some of them anyway) is polish sausage. they love its distinct flavour and go mad for it in the ring. you can get it from sainsburys if you cant get to a polish shop.

hope its works

Lately I have used grilled sausages sliced up - just the cheap shop's own label brand!
Used to use baked liver.

Pam

I dont use anything if she knows I have treats I cant keep her still she gets her treat when she comes out of the ring!

i dont give treats either in the ring i give her a few treats just about 10mins leading uptogo in the ring, so she is happy with me and more willing to co operate

Thanks Cavalierz ;-) , Thats a great idea!! Will let you know how we get along. Loislane :-)