Hi !

We'll be getting a puppy in a few weeks time and are certainly looking forward to that. (dalmatian)

We've been reading up quite a lot in the meantime, from books and the Internet.

Regarding training, everybody keeps talking about giving the dog a treat when it does something correctly.

I've just had a look at our local "pet superstore" and notice bags of wee bone shaped biscuits, other shapes too. Ate these the treats that are given? If so, won't they make the puppy fat?

I'm sure if I got a custard cream every time I did something right, I'd be a little porker by now. Well, I am 47.

Are these bought treats OK, or is the homemade type with liver a better bet.

Regards

Treats do not HAVE to be fattening.

Fruits (bar grapes and raisins) veggies, meat and of course you can actually use the regular food for training, not all food needs to come out of a bowl......

Also make sure the food is cut down slightly if feeding lots of treats:)

Why not use his food as his treats if you feed dry biccies.  That's what I do with Henry.

Or just cut down on his meals if you are using treats a lot.

Em

>Why not use his food as his treats if you feed dry biccies.<

That would be a bit boring wouldnt it?? Treats are supposed to be just that,a treat. Giving the dogs normal food isnt very motivating for the dog imo. I give my dogs very high value treats,that they only get during training.They would all absolutely scoff at me if i offered them their regular food,LOL

hiya wbmk,

i think you're referring to 'shapes'-or the none branded equivalent. I give my two them, but like other posters have stated, cut the food down slightly if you're feeding quite a few treats.

i also use small pieces of cheese, carrot, chicken, sliced hot dogs (they love it), or this weird dried meat stuff i get from my neighbours trainer. The dogs go mad for it, but its very rich, so they can't have a lot. I couldn't tell you where its from though!! I keep meaning to try making liver cake, but i still haven't!! The benefit of home made treats is you know exactly whats in them. Perhaps i should start making them.....

nicola

My dallies love gravy bones. 

Remember a dalmatain puppy should be well rounded and not skinny.  As they are so active it is difficult to keep the weight on them as puppies.  I saw one of mine yesterday and it was very underweight.  If you keep them fatter as puppies when you start excercising them in ernest as adults the fat will turn to muscle and you will have a lovely dog.  I kept one of mine thin as a puppy and it has made her narrow in the front.  The other two who I didnt have got lovely make and shape.

Be very wary about feeding too much liver as it is high in protien and too much protien is bad for dallies and can lead to crystal formation and skin complaints !