Using Food in Dog Training Without Packing on the Pounds
Dogs love to eat!
So, it’s no surprise that food is one of the most common rewards in dog training.
However, this can lead to overfeeding and negatively impact your dog’s development.
But there is a solution.
Instead of relying on treats, switch your dog to high-quality food that can also be used in training.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to maintain a balanced diet using Spot & Tango UnKibble.
Plus, I’ll share an exclusive promo code so you can try it out yourself for 60% off!
Puppies Should Grow Up and Then Out
Although they may still act like a troubled teenager, puppies are officially considered adult dogs once they reach one year old. However, it can take up to 24 months for their bones to develop.
Nutrition is vital to your dog's development, especially for large breed dogs such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Doodles, and Labrador Retrievers.
Their size and metabolism make it imperative they receive the proper nutrients.
I connected with Johnna Devereaux, a Clinical Pet Nutritionist, to get her thoughts on using food as a reward. Here is one quote that stood out to me.
Calories Per Day
This is one of the resources I referenced when determining Ellie and Emma’s caloric needs.
It is based on a dog with a potential adult size of ~70 pounds but varies based on many factors such as activity level, breed, and gender.
You will notice that the caloric intake recommendation for Emma decreases at seven months. This helps ensure she grows up first (long legs, lean body) and then out (shaping out their physique and filling in around the ribs) to reduce the load on her growing bones and joints.
Per Johnna Devereaux, determining when a puppy should begin to "fill out" depends on their expected adult weight.
For most small breed dogs, this would be between 6-8 months.
Medium size dogs between 12-14 months.
Large breed dogs between 14-18 months.
⚠️ Overfeeding Your Dog Can Have Serious Health Consequences
When training a puppy, food can be a powerful tool to encourage and reward good behavior. But you’ll want to keep an eye on what you’re giving them because the calories can quickly add up.
The consequences of overfeeding:
Obesity: When a puppy is carrying more abdominal weight, it places unnecessary stress on the growing bones and joints. This additional stress can compromise the integrity of the musculoskeletal system.
Digestive issues: The digestive system may be unable to process the excess food properly, leading to discomfort and other health issues. Symptoms include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Nutrient imbalance: Certain nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, have a recommended daily intake, and consuming too much or too little can have negative consequences. For example, excess calcium can lead to skeletal problems, while too much fat can lead to pancreatitis.
Behavioral problems: Overweight dogs may become lethargic and less active, leading to a lack of stimulation and increased boredom. This can lead to destructive behavior, such as chewing and digging, and behavioral issues, such as anxiety and aggression.
6 Tips to Help Avoid Overfeeding
Opt for high-quality, nutritious dog food.
Give the appropriate amount of food based on your dog’s age, size, and activity level.
Consider food that offers a personalized meal plan. Emma’s food comes with a custom scoop and instructions regarding proportions for each meal and changes with her age.
Avoid giving your dog table scraps and unhealthy treats.
Ensure your dog gets enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight (see ideal body weight on the Body Condition Score below).
Talk to your veterinarian for advice if you're concerned about your dog's weight or health.
When we were training Ellie as a puppy, we gave her too many treats. Unfortunately, we didn’t think about using her food for training, and there were periods she was overweight.
Over two years ago, we started using Ellie’s food in training and noticed a significant improvement in her weight and overall activity level.
How To Incorporate Food into Training
▶️ Split meals into two portions. Give half the food in a bowl and use the other half for a short training session.
▶️ Keep sessions short so your puppy stays interested and successful. Try 3-5 minutes at a time.
▶️ Bring food on your walk to help with loose leash walking. We put half their meal in a training pouch before heading out for a walk.
▶️ Use treats as part of positive reinforcement. But remember, praise, petting, and playtime also encourage good behavior.
▶️ Be consistent. Dogs are often highly motivated by food, so use food when training your puppy to reinforce good behavior and establish good habits.
▶️ Hand feed your dog their meal.
Benefits of Hand Feeding Your Dog
Training: Allows you to control the pace and timing of your dog's meals, making it easier to reward good behavior and reinforce commands.
Slow eating: Prevents digestive issues like bloating and vomiting. Great for dogs who eat too quickly.
Enrichment: Provides mental stimulation for your dog, especially if you vary the types of food or treats you offer. This can keep them engaged and entertained, reducing boredom and destructive behavior.
Bonding: Builds trust and deepens your bond with your pet. It can help your dog associate positive experiences with your presence and build a stronger connection.
Monitoring: Monitor your dog’s appetite and ensure they eat the appropriate amount of food. This can be particularly useful for dogs with specific dietary requirements or weight management concerns.
It's important to note that hand feeding should be done in a safe and controlled environment. Always supervise your dog and avoid hand feeding if your dog shows signs of aggression or anxiety around food.
What Food Do I Use for Dog Training?
We’ve been using Spot & Tango UnKibble for over two years because it’s a high-quality food that I believe will help Ellie and Emma live long and happy lives.
UnKibble is convenient to incorporate into daily training so I can ensure they are maintaining the correct nutritional balance without overfeeding.
There are many food options, but this is why I choose to give Ellie and Emma UnKibble.
UnKibble is unique!
It is the only fresh food you can hand-feed your dog, mess-free!
Perfect size for training.
The UnKibble pieces are small, bite-sized pieces of food.
Fewer training treats to buy
It’s true that UnKibble tends to be more expensive than traditional kibble, but since we use it for the majority of training it reduces our treat expenses.
Convenience is a significant factor!
No need for refrigeration. We can take this fresh food anywhere, so training does not stop.
Emma goes crazy for this food!
Emma is obsessed with her food, which is excellent for training as she works toward becoming a therapy dog like Ellie.
It’s real food!
Spot & Tango does not use fillers, feed-grade ingredients, additives, or preservatives. UnKibble is made with only human-grade ingredients, such as fresh whole fruits, veggies, and meats. Unlike traditional kibble, UnKibble is slowly cooked and gently dried to maintain nutrients and flavor. I witnessed this process firsthand when visiting their production facility, which is one of the many reasons we love Spot & Tango.
Convenient delivery
Delivered directly to my door, so I never have to go out and buy dog food. Fresh food is shipped every two weeks in the appropriate amounts for Ellie and Emma.
Custom meal plans
Spot & Tango customizes the portion sizes based on Emma's individual needs, so we do not have to switch from puppy to adult food like many other brands. You can adjust the amount or type of food you get as your puppy grows.
Dogs live longer eating real food. Spend less time at the vet and more years with your dog.
If you’ve been thinking about trying Spot & Tango UnKibble with your training, you can use promo GOLDEN for 50% off your first order.
Spot & Tango offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all trials. So if your dog doesn't love the food, just let them know before the end of your trial, and they'll refund you.
FAQ
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Emma eats the Cod and Salmon recipe.
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Ellie eats the Beef and Barley recipe.
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Yes! Use promo: GOLDEN or this link for 60% off your first Spot & Tango order.
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Kibble is made in a variety of ways, but the most common is through an extrusion process. Basically, a large machine forces ingredients together under high pressure to form kibble. This process creates a very dense product that can predispose dogs to obesity and other conditions if they are overfed even a little. Although dogs can survive on kibble, there are much healthier options such as UnKibble.
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UnKibble is DRY, fresh food made of simple ingredients. Unlike traditional kibble, UnKibble is gentle cooked and slowly dried to maintain nutritional value.
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When you sign up for a meal plan, you will be asked questions about your pet's breed, weight, and activity level to create a personalized plan. Then, your Spot & Tango will arrive at your home with a custom scoop and instructions regarding proportions for each meal.
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UnKibble is an online subscription-based food service sent directly to your door. We like that the food arrives on a recurring basis, and we do not have to run to the store. Instead, we receive an email reminder before the food ships. You can pause or modify your order at any time, and shipping is FREE!
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Spot & Tango ingredients are all farm-fresh, whole foods that are typically grown for and used in the human food supply chain. The food is gently dried at low temperatures. No artificial additives, colors, or flavors are present. All ingredients are clearly displayed on the front of the package.
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Our family is often often on-the-go and time is limited. I prefer UnKibble because I’m able to feed Ellie an Emma fresh food without any of the hassle of thawing, traveling with frozen food, taking up freezer space.
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Spot & Tango offers a 100% money-back guarantee on all trials. If your dog doesn't love the food, just let them know before the end of your trial, and they'll refund you.
If you have any feedback, questions, comments, or just want to talk about your pup… We’ll see you in the comments!! 🤗
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