Quote: John Vanek

.... I find using cut-up hot dog or string cheese works better logistically.

And the aroma from that kind of item (as well as tiny dice of real meat, poultry breast, etc.) can also enhance the bait-bag contents of http://leerburg.com/treat.htm items.

Big favorites here: the Mini Zuke's and the Soft Training Treats (all flavors of both are beloved around here!), among others. Those two are both teensy: perfect reward size for many dogs (although have had one dog who needed a slightly more substantial item for him to even notice, and I often used those http://leerburg.com/1869.htm biscotti for him).

For most dogs I work with, including my own, M&M size is perfect.

I like a mixed bag (slot machine!) to inspire even more interest and enthusiasm.



I'm with Holly on the Red Barn, which I discovered for FST. I chose the wheat-free Lamb & Rice version: http://leerburg.com/1136.htm

Click on that little video clip to see how many you get and how well they hold together (and I agree about refrigerating before dicing ..... in fact, I stuck the refrigerated roll into the freezer for 20 minutes or so each time I diced some, and they held together well).



ETA
A teeny bit off topic, but related: If you don't have this, you must get one! http://leerburg.com/736.htm

This is probably in my top three LB accessory items. I have sponged it clean for many months, and then when I left something in there my mistake and stunk it up, I even washed in in the washing machine on the most gentle cycle along with a couple of hand towels and it came out great. (I didn't risk the drier ..... it dried quickly hanging over the shower rod.)

Edited by Connie Sutherland (01/30/2013 04:31 PM)
Edit reason: eta

I use chicken pieces, hot dogs and string cheese also, but have used the rolls. Like Holly said, I prefer the Red Barn.

The Zuke Mini's are perfect in size, and the cutting has been done. I can easily pinch them in half for the tiny dogs, and can't think of a dog that hasn't liked them.

The bait bags that Connie linked, imo, are the best.

 Quote: Tammy Moore

I use chicken pieces, hot dogs and string cheese also, but have used the rolls. Like Holly said, I prefer the Red Barn.

The Zuke Mini's are perfect in size, and the cutting has been done. I can easily pinch them in half for the tiny dogs, and can't think of a dog that hasn't liked them.

The bait bags that Connie linked, imo, are the best.

I know that all the regular posters here know about how great marker training is, but this video I was looking for (and Cindy helped me find) also has some nice discussion of food rewards and their value level to your dog vis - a - vis the task at hand, as well as their consumption-time and how that too relates to the task at hand.

Plus a visual lineup that my dogs' eyes would light up like headlights to see!

http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=53

I do have a bait bag, it is one from the local pet store and it came with a lot of little pockets and dividers inside the main pocket. A few minutes with a razor blade and it came out much more user friendly. If that is one of the top three accessories what are the other two? I have tried using chicken leftover from dinner and the hot dogs, neither if which got him very worked up. I will try the red barn food rolls and see if he will work as hard for those. Approximately how many treats do you get in the zukes? It looks like we could go through a bag in a day or two.

 Quote: gary chesney

If that is one of the top three accessories what are the other two?

Strictly MY fave LB accessories.

http://leerburg.com/1201.htm
http://leerburg.com/729.htm
http://leerburg.com/736.htm


http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32298&page=2#361904

 Quote: gary chesney

Approximately how many treats do you get in the zukes? It looks like we could go through a bag in a day or two.

I don't know .... a lot. Anyone have a new bag and feel like guessing?

http://leerburg.com/1078.htm#!vidpopup/0/

See the size? A pound of those is a pile! I bought the 6-ounce ones to see if they were popular; turned out they all were, so I get the pound size now. But either keep them well sealed or in a canister; they will harden (not that they will be ruined or anything, but I think the soft texture is appealing).

Ha..I was actually going to count the # in the 1 lb. bag at one time. There are many, I lost interest.

After reading the reviews, I would like very much to switch to Redbarn. However, I am deterred by the shipping costs. Are there any pet store chains that carry it? I checked the website, and no there is no info on local availability.
The main thing that I don't lke about NB is availability. Of three local Petcos, only one has the rolls, and that one doesn't always have all of the flavors; sometimes it doesn't have any flavor in the economy roll. Petsmart doesn't carry it at all.

I bought two of these bait bags...
http://leerburg.com/1385.htm

The drawstring is easily managed with one hand (I wear mine on my right side). It is small enough to not be cumbersome, yet my med-lg hand fits inside of it just right. I use two for tracking, as I use a higher value reward for articles, and they fit nicely side by side.
When stocks run low, LB doesn't list a choice of colors, but I phoned my order in and asked about selection, and the wonderful ladies there sent me two of my preferred color.

When I order my Red Barn rolls, I order from a place that ships orders over $49 for free. I order like 7 at a time so I hit the free shipping. There are wild price differences out there! I found the 4 pound rolls for less than 8 bucks each with free shipping. My husband flipped when all of it came, but I train pretty heavily with 3 dogs, so I go through quite a bit. The stuff has a pretty decent shelf life. All of my dogs love it.

Thanks, Holly. The issue for me is that I have only one dog, and don't have the financial freedom to lay in a stock that large. If anyone can provide info on local availability, I would be very grateful.