Happy Tasty Tuesday everyone! I hope you are all having a fantastic day! We are so excited to share this review and giveaway with everyone! It's also Responsible Pet Owner's Month, too! I feel that a major part of being a responsible pet owner is training your dogs and Zuke's makes that a little bit easier with their Mini Natural Training Treats! We were given a set of their Mini Naturals in exchange for an honest review but we were not monetarily compensated.
I feel that being a "Responsible Pet Owner" means proactively training and working with the dogs on the behaviors that are important to our daily life and preventing bad behaviors that I don't like. I also feel that it's important to take how the dog feels about things into consideration as well. These past few weeks we've been working a lot on counter conditioning and desensitization.
With Zoe's feet issues, I couldn't stand having her give me the "my mother is abusing me face" when I put her booties on for walks. Unfortunately, the boots are going to be a daily thing to prevent the foot infections from the wet grass. I'm hoping I can get her to a point where she doesn't look sad and abused when the booties go on. Zoe is also having problems with the apartment noises. When you live in an apartment you have to deal with neighbors and the banging really bothers her. So we are working on that, too.
Phoenix is still having dog issues and I'm not sure they will ever go away. Most of the dogs in our apartment complex are hostile and want to eat us so that hasn't helped the situation. So I am working on CC/DS to dogs and random people walking by our patio and I've also been carrying treats with me when I walk them in our complex in case we come across other dogs. I've gotten her to the point where I can leave her on the patio for short periods of time (they go out there when I vacuum) without her barking and she generally does not react on leash unless the other dog gets in her face but her overall level of excitement when dogs are near is way too high. I know that I need to work on reinforcing calm.
I do a lot of my training sessions on the fly. That means that if I don't have treats ready I either have to waste time cutting them up or I need to have commercial treats on hand. The problem with most commercial treats is that they are not very healthy and I prefer using the healthiest treats possible. Enter Zuke's! The Zuke's treats are healthy, small and only about 3 calories per treat! They make being able to do quick training sessions easy! I can just open the package, dump some into my treat bag and we are good to go. The dogs absolutely love them and consider them to be a high value treat.
About Zukes:
Zuke’s was founded 20 years ago by Patrick Meiering and inspired
by his dog Zuke. While they were having a hike together in the Colorado Mountains, Patrick
noticed that Zuke was starting to get tired and he tossed him a piece of his energy bar.
After seeing Zuke perk up, Patrick realized that dogs need a healthy, energy boosting treat just as much as humans do and Zuke’s was born!
Inspired by our own pets and made especially for them. Zuke’s treats are healthy, natural, and nutritious.
Based in Durango, Colorado, we’re passionate not only about pets but also about the outdoors! Those big, wide-open spaces where dogs and their people can go to feel alive. But you don’t need mountains in your backyard to stay active with your dog, you can find adventure anywhere.
About Mini Naturals:
Take your dog’s training to a tasty new level. One delicious little Mini and your dog will be ready and willing to learn all kinds of new tricks. The naturally delicious formula makes all the difference. Quality protein, whole food antioxidants, and a mouthwatering taste your dog will love.
Mini Naturals comes in 6 different flavors: Wild Rabbit, Pork, Duck, Salmon, Peanut butter and Chicken.
Ingredients: (Wild Rabbit, Pork, Duck, Salmon, Peanut Butter, or Chicken), Ground Rice, Ground Barley, Malted Barley, Gelatin, Vegetable Glycerin, Tapioca, Natural Flavors, Cherries, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Salt, Phosphoric Acid, Rosemary, Turmeric, Sorbic Acid (a preservative), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Mixed Tocopherols.
They do not contain any wheat, corn or soy.
Features & Benefits:
- Only 3.5 calories per treat: great for frequent rewards, perfect for training
- Healthy nutrient-rich cherries, rosemary, and turmeric: powerful, wholefood sources of antioxidant
- Small size: ideal for any age, any breed
- Highly palatable: dogs love ‘em!
- Made in the USA!
Zuke's is also committed to helping others and they donate a portion of every sale to The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund! I think that's amazing and just one more reason to support their company.
Overall, I am really happy with the Zuke's Mini Naturals! The dogs absolutely love them, too! The ingredients are high quality, they are the perfect size and low in calories. They are stinky but the smell doesn't cling to my skin. There's a ton in the package and they go a long way! I would definitely get these again and I would recommend checking them out!
ZoePhee was provided with the complete line of Zuke's Mini Naturals in exchange for an honest review. We were not monetarily compensated and I only share information that I feel is relevant to my readers. My reviews are always 100% honest. Zuke's is not responsible for the content of this blog post.
ZoePhee is partnering with Zuke's for this giveaway. One lucky winner will get the entire line of Zuke's Mini Naturals. You will get one bag of each flavor for your dog to try. The giveaway is open to the USA only. By entering this giveaway, the winner gives me permission to share their address with Zuke's so they can ship the treats out to you. ZoePhee is not responsible for any issues related to this giveaway. To enter use the rafflecopter below. If the rafflecopter acts up please try refreshing the page.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Today I'm joining Cascadian Nomads, Rubicon Days and Tenacious Little Terrier for the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop! This months theme is "Responsible Pet Owners Month" but any other positive training posts are welcome.
We are also joining the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop hosted by Sugar The Golden Retriever and Kol's Notes.
Mmmmm, we've never met a Zukes treat we didn't like! Great review!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that your neighbor dogs want to eat you. Hopefully some friendly ones will move in soon!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite treats are freeze-dried meats. I can be very stubborn until those come out!
Thanks Chewy! We hope so, too!
DeleteThese are absolutely our favorite training treat. I love they come in so many flavors because Jack can't have Chicken. I'll be honest, we have them on subscription order at Amazon :)
ReplyDeleteWe've just started a Prey Drive course through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and are currently using the Zuke's Peanut Butter treats. We'll be working through this course for several months so I'm sure we'll be going through a lot of treats!
ReplyDeleteOh awesome! I love Fenzi courses!
DeleteAm always looking for new treats for Madam :)
ReplyDeleteWe always have a bag of Zukes Minis Wabbit flavor on hand for occasions when we need a quick reward. Yummy stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou are working on counter conditioning that I also need to work on... but I have been too lazy! One of my obedience instructors actually lives in my neighborhood and I think it wasn't summer 2014 but summer 2013 that when she walked by and my dogs went crazy barking at her she said "you need to sit on the porch and feed then treats for behaving." Yeah. They still go crazy every time anyone walks by. My lazy solution has been to not allow them alone time on the porch but just sitting and sniffing the outdoors is such nice time for a dog. Anyways, good for you working on calm living and thanks for the reminder/inspiration that I should do the same. I'm glad you joined the Positive Pet Training Hop this month!
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes taking the "management" route is the best for everyone! I don't think it's lazy! :) I have put off a lot of stuff that we needed to work on and managed it instead because we were busy working on other stuff. If it works for you then great!! I bet that having your trainer live by can be embarrassing! LOL
DeleteWe are fans of Zuke's although I was disappointed when they were purchased by Purina. Living in an apartment or townhome with dogs can be challenging - we have had more neighbors with dogs move in more recently, and one lets their dog out the front door off leash to come sniffing around by our door. Ruby can't see it because of the window film but she can hear and smell it and it drives her crazy every time. We have some work to do as well!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh at your neighbor... That would drive anyone nuts!
DeleteWe're working on all sorts of stuff! Never ends!
ReplyDeleteDexter is working on chaining behaviors and heeling on my right for heel.
Leggs is working on all sorts of stuff! REA, attention, tug/fetch, LLW, a tuck sit, down...
Penny and Dash work mostly on ''settling'' on their beds in front of the pellet stove.
Pearl and LeRoy are taking their jobs at being cute and fluffy seriously. ;)
Oh awesome!! I can't wait to see more videos of them!! :D
DeleteBrown dawgs love Zukes. We use them all the time for training. Not field training because we don't use treats, but for other things like training for shows and obedience.
ReplyDeleteYum! Luna loves Zuke's Minis. They are great for training and photo shoots.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks that you have so many hostile dogs in your complex. We have a ton of dogs here as well but none of them seem to be aggressive. Except for the one next door who the little boy there eggs on, saying "get him!" And telling me that the police are going to tase me and my dog.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it really does! My last complex was not like this. It is definitely shocking! I can't really go anywhere in the complex where a dog isn't freaking out at us as we walk by. My husband won't even walk them where the good grass is because he's nervous the two big dogs that live right there are going to bust through the glass door! We've been attacked twice now on walks. Like full on actual attacks, not just barking reactivity. People and their flexi leads.. Sigh.
DeleteAlso, OMG about your neighbor's kid.. Seriously... Yikes.
DeleteWe absolutely love Zuke's! Mauja and Atka think they're a bit small, but they still work just as hard for them and I love not having to cut up treats for a training session.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm currently working on Cop Cop and leg weaves with Nola. It's back breaking!
ReplyDeleteI love Zuke's - the size makes them absolutely perfect. It's got to be rough to have so many dogs in your complex like that. I imagine that's pretty stressful having to deal with situations at any given time that are pretty much out of your control.
ReplyDeleteWe love Zukes....Mom says they are good because I don't turn into a chubby puppy at class!!
ReplyDeleteThese look fabulous too!!!! Paw-some!!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We LOVE Zukes for training! We are involved in agility so they really come in handy. I love how healthy they are.
ReplyDeleteOne of Grem's favorite treats, for sure. They're amazing for working with his reactivity.
ReplyDeleteThank You for sharing. I also check calories every time and our main treat is minced meat. Also we are meeting mostly hostile dogs. It's hard to countercondition a reactive dog to hostile dog. . But we are hanging on :)
ReplyDeleteWe love Zuke's! I was using the sausage-sized rabbit flavor for nosework in the garage. Much easier and less messy than cooking liver (which I had been doing and which stinks up the house), and the pups home in on the smell right away. I just recently bought a package of the smaller training treats, realizing that they can still smell the small ones!
ReplyDeleteWe just got a puppy so he is currently learning sit and no jumping.
ReplyDeleteI am working with Luke on having his paws handled so I can hopefully one day trim his nails, and also so maybe we can work on some tricks using his paws. I use Zuke's sometimes, and we go through a lot! We have to watch his weight as well so I need the lowest calorie treats I can find that he really loves.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
I am so with you on paw handling! My girls are not fans of that either. I'm the same way with treats, too. Zoe easily gains weight so finding low calorie treats is really important. I'm also super strict about measuring out what they eat.
DeleteWhat are you currently working on with your dog? He currently goes crazy when he sees cars and runs towards them when they drive by so we're working on that.
ReplyDeleteor What is your favorite training treat? purina treats
Marie
Im working on getting my dog to stop peeing in my living room when were gone!
ReplyDeleteWe work on getting past people and other dogs on our walks. Delilah is so good about walking past dogs in their yards, I think if it were just me and her we could walk past a dog on the street, but Sampson wants to get to the other dog and if he starts, then she starts too. A couple weeks ago they dragged me across the street, thankfully I was able to manage it, but I need to work on them individually and when they both get good, then I can try them together. I just wish there was someone in the neighborhood I could work with to help me with this.
ReplyDeleteWe are doing that, too! Phoenix does not like dogs when they "challenge" her behind barriers! So passing by fences can be rough. I totally understand what you mean when you say Delilah feeds off of what Sampson is doing! My girls do that, too! It's such a pain. I used to walk them separately when we were staying with the inlaws and I will occasionally do that now, too.
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