Most training methods involve the use of some kind of dog treat. Dogs are typically food motivated and we use this motivation to ingrain behaviors that we’d like to see in our pets. The idea is to simply link a treat with a desired behavior.
All dogs are different when it comes to the speed with which they learn, so some require more treats than others to reach a desired effect. Dog treats, as advertised in the major chain pet stores can be quite expensive, especially if you need a lot of them! There is a much simpler alternative, which might work even better.
Since the beginning of my experiences working with dogs, I have used only one kind of training treat…and that’s hot dogs! Most Dollar Stores in your area have a refrigeration section that includes hot dogs/franks. One package can potentially contain up to ten hot dogs. Each hot dog can provide, if diced properly, hundreds of treats.
First, cut one hot dog in half, and then in half again. Now take one of the four strips you’ve created and begin to cut it into small pieces. You can easily achieve 20-40 little pieces of hot dog from one of these strips. Once you’ve created your pile of hot dog pieces, spread them out on a microwave-safe plate or dish so that they are not overlapping each other. Finally, microwave the pieces (the time will depend, usually I test with 3 minutes to start) on HIGH.
When finished correctly, the treats will be dried but not burned. They can then be stored in a freezer in plastic freezer or sandwich bags. Due to their small size, you can always keep some on your person so that you won’t have to hunt a treat down when a training opportunity presents itself.
Of course, hot dogs aren’t healthy even for people if consumed in large quantities. As simple treats they’ll be fine for just about any size dog that you have. Be sure that your dog has no health issues that could be exacerbated with tiny bits of hot dog meat. If everything checks out, you’ll have an inexpensive training treat that your dog won’t be able to get enough of!