How many dog treats should you give a dog? That’s one of the most common dog questions. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. It all depends on you and your dog. In this post, we will discuss how much food/treats to give your dog and a few other things you need to keep in mind.

The 10% Rule

You’ve probably heard of the 10% rule. This term refers to the idea that you should only give your dog 10% of their daily food intake in treats. As a general rule, a dog should not eat treats that contain more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.

Treats & Puppy Training: How Much is Enough?

If you’re training a puppy, you need to be a little more careful when it comes to the amount of treats you give them. Unless they’re the rare dog that’s been on a low-fat diet, most dogs will have a treat and eat it in a few bites. Because of that, this area can get a little tricky.

The most important thing to remember is that treats should be used sparingly. Think of them as a reward for a job well done. Don’t use them to try and force your puppy to do something. Too many treats can lead to an overweight, lazy puppy.

When it comes to the amount of treats you should give your puppy, it’s best to start with one treat per day. When this becomes an old hat, you can increase it to two treats per day. 

Keep in mind that treats shouldn’t take the place of food. You should still be feeding your puppy the same amount of food, but the treats should be a bonus.

A Note About Training Treats

There are different types of training treats, and each one has its own purpose. While treats can be used any time during training, they have a place during different training phases.

The best time to use food rewards is during the reward/reinforcement phase. In this phase, the dog is being rewarded for behaviours that they have already learned.

Dog Treats Are Not a Substitute for Food

It’s important to remember that dog treats are not a meal replacement. Instead, treats are a form of positive reinforcement. When you give your dog a treat, they’re just a “thank you” for doing what you wanted. It’s not a way to train your dog, nor is it a way to withhold food.

When you start feeding your dog treats, it’s important that you make sure your dog is getting enough food. If their appetite is dulled or their energy isn’t the same, you should consider giving them more food and cutting out the treats.

Again, as a general rule, you should aim to have your dog’s treats account for about 10% of their daily calorie intake.

The Right Amount of Treats

So, how much dog treats should you give your dog? It really depends on your dog and what you’re using them for. 10% of the dog’s daily calorie intake is a good general guideline. If you’re training a puppy, you should cut back on their calories and treat them a little more sparingly.

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