Permalink Reply by Beth on January 28, 2010 at 7:25pm
You want a value system for treats.
So we use Charlie Bears for regular reinforcement during learning/practice.
We have some bigger treats they like for a final reward at the end of a long (for us-- -meaning a few minutes) training session.
We have very yummy treats we use to highly motivate for special training (something where you want high enthusiasm/immediate response, like looking to you instead of at another dog, or learning that Mops Aren't Scary) and for that we use things like string cheese.
And we have our Super High Value Emergency Recall Training Only rewards: Hot dogs, or Bil Jac treats (which are the grossest things ever and the dogs love them).
Oh, and at the lowest tier are carrots, used for "you should know to do that without a treat, but gosh you look so excited I'll give you one anyway."