Great Healthful Cheap Dog Training Treats

Natural Balance Beef Roll (4 lb). About $12 at Amazon as of this bloggerpost

Natural Balance Rolls.  They come in other flavors, but my dog likes the Beef "formula."  (Formula is dog food company lingo for "we're not allowed to call it what we want to call it because it doesn't have enough of the good stuff by weight).  But Natural Balance Rolls do have plenty of good stuff.   Most Dogs LOVE Natural Balance and it's very healthful.  It costs about half what comparable dog treats cost and it's almost certainly better for your dog than most of those.  You do have to chop it up (about the size of a big pea works for most dogs for training).   Jean Donaldson - a well known and really good dog trainer and teacher - recommends the stuff in her "Teach Your Dog Like a Pro" CD and that's how I found out about it.

Dog training treats are another one of those personal preference/trade off things for both dog and owner.  An effective training treat has to be something your dog WANTS. Badly. Otherwise, you're going to spend a lot of time without a lot of result.  And the result you do get (eventually), won't be as strong.   So going too cheap or going for a treat because it appeals to you (for health or smell or convenience) more than it appeals to your dog is not going to save you much in the long run.

Their's an old saying about contractors for home repair and such. Pick two: Fast, Cheap, or Good.  You can't have all 3.  Dog treats are not quite that simple.  There are four things you're going to want:

Healthy, Cheap, Convenient, Tasty.   You can throw in "not disgusting" too.  If you're squeamish.

If you're willing to throw convenience and price out the window, I'd say your best choices are either baked chicken (which you have to chop up into little pieces - and bake!), or "Stella and Chewies" brand freeze dried raw patties.  Your dog will love both.  They are super healthful.  But both are a pain to prepare in quantity. And $$$. 

If you don't care about health (let's say your not heartless, but you just don't give your dog so many treats that it's much of an issue), you're on your own.   If you don't care about price, but want healthful, convenient,  and tasty, google for "Raw freeze dried dog treats."  Most of what you come up with will probably work fine, but you're going to pay about $8/ounce.

For Pogo and me, I like the Natural Balance.  

Great Dog Harness

Sense-ation Dog Harness - "Swim" model

Why a dog harness?  If your dog is a puller or if he has linebacker syndrome (his head is smaller than his neck) or if he/she is just a little too independent on walks, a harness can make life more blissful for both of you.   Front-clip harnesses that have the leash attachment strap in front of the dog's chest (not on his back) can give your dog a better sense of where you'd like him to go.  And if there's any pulling in a different direction, the harness will give real positive feedback - redirecting the dog without choking.   If you're not enjoying your dog walks, give one a try.

I've used a few different brands and I like Sense-ation by Soft-touch concepts best.   It's the simplest to put on and to adjust, and it just seems to be the most comfortable for the dog.   They have a few different models, but my favorite is the "Swim" model.   It's made of a softer material than their usual nylon, yet it seems to be a bit more durable.   My only real complaint is that the dog can chew through the harness pretty easily if he wants to.   Sense-ation harnesses are among the easiest to chew - probably because they are softer.  They will repair a strap for $5 with free return shipping.  You have to get it to them though.  I'm on my 6th repair (I have a couple backups for when the harness is in transit).

Another nice thing about the Swim model is that it dries faster and holds less water than nylon.  In a rainy place like Portland, that tends to make for a less smelly harness.  It is pricey and can be hard to find in stores.  $30 at Amazon at the moment.