What does everyone use? Do you make it yourself or buy it in? For a boxer.

Bacon and sausage for my terriers. If it’s slightly on the turn that’s even better ham puts them over the edge though and is just too much excitement for them! It was very much a case of trial and error for mine. What worked at home didn’t work in the ring with more distractions.

I can freely admit I have never been a fan of bait, actually I find it disgusting looking at dogs in the ring with hands practically down their throats or throwing it around.
How you can judge a dog like that when all you see is a hand hiding the face as some never moved it out of the way or drool hitting the ground.
Never did it with mine they were trained to stand with a small hairy toy or tennis ball and treat afterwards.

Home made liver or sardine cake but being very careful not to drop it as it then becomes a distraction to all.
Certainly not into dogs mouth more just shown to the dog to keep attention then treat

Ingredients please furriefriends.

Mine only get the treats when they are done. Toys just don’t get their attention and never had for some reason.

https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/training-our-puppies/dog-treat-recipes/liver-cake/

This pretty much what I do . you can adjust the type of flour and some like to add garlic ( I dont) but have used coconut flour instead which worked out fine and is good if you dog is allergic to wheat  . Wizz up in liquidiser to a  thick batter consistency and cook. For sardine or mackerel just sub for the liver. Its rather hit and miss tbh but the dogs don't care.

You do get a kind of pied piper effect though if its in your pocket  !!

Brooke isnt into toys over food. Maybe a ball but tends to try and grab it and that wouldn't have been good in the ring. I actually was told to teach her to a finger . When the finger appears she watches and will stand . Then a treat when done .
Just a shame she didnt like showing so we stopped out

Mine love boiled or baked lambs liver. Also meatballs go down a treat. We use bait often in the ring in my breed too. Some throw it like many in Boxers but most feed it and use for attention but keeping in the hands

Mine love Chicken Cake Treats

500g raw chicken
400g rice flour or plain flour
3 eggs
1 clove garlic
2 tbls oil

Blend chicken, eggs, garlic & oil (use more oil if necessary)
Create a well of flour in a bowl, pour in the chicken mixture & fold. If it's a bit dry, add a drop of milk (goat's or cow's)
Put in lined baking tin & cook at 180• for 45 mins - 1 hr
Cool then cut into treat pieces, put on baking tray & bake again at 190 for 15-20 mins.

I tended not to use bait in the ring but if needed, baked lambs liver.   And boy did I have a group round the oven when I was making  it!!   It was a touch messy however, and those jackets I wore using that, had to be easily laundered or the pockets could be chewed out, if left lying around

Having a breed that had to be stacked, it wasn't too easy to deal with bait when stacking as well.  It would be different with a breed that self stacked

Thanks all.

Self stacked .I like that term not heard it before.and yes i recognise the chewed out pockets .

the chewed out pockets .
At Crufts with a friend - W Mids sniffer dog did a perfect alert at my feet due to the treats in my jacket pocket - handler looked a bit dubious at me till I showed him the cause

Depends on what motivates your breed, and method of presentation. Ours is 'free standing' looking alert.

Mine is a hunter, that brings prey to bay, and then barks for hunters attention. These traits are pretty hard wired.

Toys just don't do it for my scenting breed who would have their noses to the ground.

Food works for them, they are foody, but fortunately non slobbering.

Mind you, overbaiting, due to handler nerves, to keep attention (they are natural fidgets) had created a rod for my own back with some of mine, who would bark for the treat.

At home I turned my back until quiet, and then treat, but in the ring they can turn cunning

Regarding Bait or toys, these must not interfere with other dogs and handlers.

So no throwing food or toys, or squeekers and whistles in my opinion, should be the rule.

Thanks for that chicken recipe Jeangenie must try that as my current guy's were convinced I was trying to poison them with liver the lips curling in disgust was hilarious though.

My breed is always shown free-standing - in the ring the judge should be the only person who touches the dog (unless the handler is required to show the bite). So having something to help keep the dog's attention on you is invaluable!

I always use something that if I am desperate to get rid of in a panic like cannot get back in pocket or judge catches you out want to remove you I can eat myself.

I use all of the following not all at the same time some are for open shows the absolute favourite are for championship shows.

Cocktails sauages, cheese, garlic smoked sausage ie. Mattisons type, even slices of cooked chicken if I have any that needs using.

The main thing to remember it has to be what your dog likes