A good dog deserves a Treat, and a quick rub on the belly is not always enough. In these special moments, nothing will make your dog as excited as a good treat. But a treat is not just a treat; your dog should get something healthy and really special.

Here are five tips for choosing healthy treats for your dog:

1. Switch Things Up

Even if your dog clearly loves a particular treat more than anything else you give it, it can get bored with getting the same treat over and over again. Therefore, you should find out a selection of treats your dog is particularly fond of so that you can keep changing them up. This way, your dog will even be more excited about the treats, knowing that it will get something good, but not sure what.

2. Size Your Treats Properly

Generally, the treats you give your dog should be small. A treat the size of a pencil eraser is perfect. With treats this size, your pet will get more of them in a single session; and with reduced risk of stomach issues.

3. Find Your Dog’s Favorite Treat

In dog training circles, a favorite dog treat is called a “high value” treat. And don’t be troubled if you can’t find out what your dog’s favorite treat is, some dogs are not picky. But if that is not the case, a little trial and error will tell you the treat your dog truly loves.

A treat can also be used to adjust your dog’s behavior when things seem to get out of hand. For instance, these HonestPaws dog treats can calm down your dog in case it gets nervous, afraid or anxious.

4. Don’t Go Overboard

With your dog all excited about the treats you are giving it; you can easily get carried away and keep the treats coming until it no longer shows interest in them. But this is a bad idea, as you can easily over-feed the dog. In general, the treats should not cause a serious impact on your dog’s daily calorie requirements. Besides, giving it too much of these treats will make them less exciting and defeat the purpose of using them in the first place. Remember, it is a treat, not a meal.

5. Keep the Treats Healthy

Some of the treats your dog likes might not be healthy for it at all. Examples include hot dogs and other humans intended for human consumption. Therefore, you should pick treats that are healthy and specifically intended for dogs. Basically, avoid treats that come with artificial additives such as BHT and propylene glycol that might cause your beloved pet any trouble.

Showing your dog that you appreciate its stand up behavior can make both your lives a lot happier. While treats are fun, putting a little more thought into the process can make giving your dog these treats a lot more effective. In conclusion, you should keep the treats healthy, keep switching them up, and avoid over-feeding the dog. These tips, among other points mentioned above, will make giving your dog treats a lot healthier.