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PEOPLE FOOD: cAN i FEED THIS TO MY DOG?

One of the common problems we run into in dog training is that often the dogs we are working with just aren't motivated by store bought treats! This can be a challenge when we are training a new behavior.  I am frequently asked if it is ok to use people foods for reward based training.  Yes! Absolutely! And it's a great way to keep your rewards high value as these are not something the dog gets every day and you are making them work for it.  However, dogs do not have the same digestive system that we do and don't always process food as well.  So here is a list that may help answer those questions that come up when trying to find a great, high value "people food" reward

YES

  • Apples (no skin or seeds)

  • fish

  • grains (in small quantities, yeast free)

  • eggs (cooked, plain, no more than 1/day)

  • peanuts (in small quantities)

  • cashews (in small quantities)

  • pumpkin

  • celery

  • carrots

  • watermelon (in small quantities)

  • cooked potatoes

  • bananas

  • berries

  • oranges

  • sweet potatoes

  • pinapple

  • rice

  • boiled chicken, never seasoned

  • bacon

  • jerky (avoid chicken)

  • broccoli

  • zucchini

  • cucumber

  • pears

  • shrimp (1-2, here and there)

  • cheese (in small quantites)

  • popcorn (plain)

  • peanut butter (high in fat, limit)

  • turkey, cooked, plain

  • pork/ham

  • corn (off the cob)

  • yogurt, plain

  • bread (in small quanties - bread holds no nutritional value so please limit)

  • tuna

  • honey

  • salmon

  • coconut

  • mangoes

NO

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Apple seeds

  • Apricot pits

  • Avocados

  • asparagus

  • almonds

  • Cherry stones

  • Sweets and chocolate - especially chocolate - toxic to dogs and cats – also any sweet food containing the toxic sweetener xylitol

  • Coffee - ground and beans

  • cinnamon

  • corn cobs

  • Garlic

  • Grapes

  • Chewing gum – potential to cause blockages and sugar free gums often contain xylitol

  • Hops - used in beer brewing

  • Macadamia nuts

  • Moldy food - may contain Mycotoxins (toxic substances produced by fungi)

  • Mushroom plants

  • Mustard seeds

  • Onions and onion powder

  • Peach stones

  • Pecans

  • Potato leaves and stems (green bits)

  • Raisins

  • Rhubarb leaves

  • Salt

  • Tea – as it contains caffeine

  • Tomatoes

  • Walnuts

  • Xylitol (artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to pets)

  • Yeast dough

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