Ever feel like you’re speaking a different language than your furry best friend? You tell them to sit, and they bring you a shoe instead. It’s frustrating, right? Finding the perfect dog training method can feel like a maze with too many confusing signs.
Many dog owners want a well-behaved companion but get stuck choosing between harsh methods or programs that don’t deliver real results. You want positive training that works, but how do you know which “treats” approach is best for your dog’s unique personality and your family’s needs?
This post cuts through the noise. We will explore what makes effective treats-based training tick, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what real success looks like. Get ready to learn practical steps to build a stronger bond with your dog using positive reinforcement.
Top Treats Dog Training Recommendations
- Highly Palatable with natural pork liver base
- 500 treats per bag!
- Only 1.5 calories per treat
- Clean ingredients with no corn, soy or artificial flavors
- Made with natural bacon
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: BLUE Bits dog training treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient making them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior
- SOFT TRAINING TREATS: For dogs that love a soft treat, BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training; plus, with DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like Propylene Glycol and colors like Red Dye 40
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains: One (1) 19-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Chicken Recipe
- FREEZE-DRIED RAW BEEF LIVER DOG TREAT: Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats pack more protein than industry standard into every bite to deliver the peak vitality your dog deserves. Our natural freeze-dried raw dog treats are made from responsibly sourced, premium butcher cut beef liver.
- BETTER PROTEIN = BETTER BENEFITS: The best freeze dried dog treats on the market use premium butcher cut raw protein to unlock the benefits of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals in raw muscle and organs, because pets deserve the energetic playtimes, healthy skin, shiny coats, strong teeth, and essential gut health that a high-protein diet delivers.
- PROUDLY AMERICAN CRAFTED: All our dog treats and food are responsibly sourced and humanely harvested to ensure the quality of our proteins. We go above industry standards to preserve flavor and ensure the highest quality of protein and nutrients in every Vital Essentials product.
- MADE WITHOUT: Dog treat additives, fillers, dyes, flavorings, artificial preservatives, grains, or rendered by-products. Vital Essentials also offers the widest variety of single-protein raw dog food and treats on the market—great for picky eaters and dogs with allergies!
- RAW DOG TREATS FREEZE DRIED FOR PEAK FRESHNESS: Our protein is frozen within 45-minutes of harvesting to lock in peak nutrients, flavor, and freshness. A slow-freeze-dry ensures minimal processing, while preserving the vital nutrients that our pets deserve, the way nature intended.
- REAL BEEF FIRST: BLUE Bits dog training treats are made with delicious real beef as the first ingredient making them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior
- SOFT TRAINING TREATS: For dogs that love a soft treat, BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training; plus, with DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like Propylene Glycol and colors like Red Dye 40
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains: One (1) 19-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Beef Recipe
- Small treats for bite-sized rewards during training
- American chicken is the #1 ingredient
- No added corn, soy or wheat; No added colors or artificial flavors
- Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world
- 2-pound bag of dog treats in a resealable pouch
- BUDDY TRAINING BITES - These bite-sized treats are chock full of meaty flavor from appetizing pork liver as the 1st ingredient, so they are easy to eat and perfect for dogs of all ages.
- ALL THE GOOD STUFF - Our training treats are made in the USA and they are free of corn, soy, artificial flavors and preservatives. With Buddy, you can feel good about serving your best bud the treats they deserve!
- LOW CALORIE - Only 1.5 calories per treat to help make your dog training sessions last longer! The delicious aroma will have your pup coming back for more.
- 501 TREATS PER BAG - Reward your dog's good behavior with 500 treats per bag. Buddy is healthy, tasty & fun!
- EVERYBODY LOVES BUDDY: Buddy is the perfect companion for your best friend! Buddy's delicious flavors are sure bring your pup joy! Buddy has a range of treats - all made with real, simple ingredients that you can pronounce.
- BIG MOTIVATION IN EACH MINI BITE. Each of these 1.5 calorie treats are packed with flavor from pork liver, real bacon, and added botanicals that will keep dogs focused and eager to learn!
- TRAIN. ENRICH. TREAT. These low calorie training rewards are great for training sessions, enrichment activities such as puzzle toys and snuffle mats, and every day treating occasions.
- GREAT FOR SMALLER DOGS. These bite-sized treats are the perfect size for training and every day treating for smaller dogs. Each 10 oz bag includes approximately 500 treats
- REWARD THE EVERYDAY Pet Botanics healthy training rewards are perfect for training and treating every day in every way. These soft & chewy treats have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- PROUD MEMBER THE CLOUD STAR FAMILY. With Cloud Star products, you can spend less time worrying about what to feed your pet and spend more time Living Life with Your Dog by Your Side.
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: BLUE Bits dog training treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient making them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior
- SOFT TRAINING TREATS: For dogs that love a soft treat, BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training; plus, with DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like Propylene Glycol and colors like Red Dye 40
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains: One (1) 4-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Chicken Recipe
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Treats Dog Training Aids
Choosing the right training treats can make a huge difference in how quickly and happily your dog learns. This guide helps you pick the best treats for your training sessions.
1. Key Features to Look For
Good training treats have specific features. These features help keep your dog focused and motivated.
- Size and Shape: Treats should be small, about the size of a pea or a small bean. Small treats mean you can give many rewards without overfeeding your dog.
- Softness/Texture: Look for soft, chewy treats. Dogs can eat soft treats quickly. They do not need to stop training to chew hard biscuits for a long time.
- High Value: The best treats smell strong and taste great to your dog. These are “high-value” rewards. Use them for hard new commands.
- Quick Consumption: The dog needs to eat it fast. If the treat takes too long to eat, the dog loses focus on the training session.
2. Important Materials and Ingredients
What goes into the treat matters for your dog’s health and training success.
Healthy Ingredients
- Real Meat or Protein: Chicken, beef, or salmon are great primary ingredients. These smell good and dogs love them.
- Limited Fillers: Avoid treats packed with corn, wheat, or soy if your dog has allergies. Simple ingredient lists are usually better.
- Natural Preservatives: Look for natural preservatives like Vitamin E. Artificial colors and flavors should be avoided.
Allergy Considerations
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, check the label carefully. Grain-free options are often recommended for dogs sensitive to common grains.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the treat directly affects how useful it is for training.
Quality Boosters
- Freshness: Freshly made treats hold their smell and taste better. This keeps the dog excited.
- Nutritional Balance: Even though they are treats, they should not be empty calories. Good quality treats offer some nutritional value.
Quality Reducers
- Hardness: Very hard, dry biscuits slow down training. The dog wastes time crunching.
- Low Scent: If the treat does not smell appealing, the dog will not work hard for it. Low-scent treats reduce motivation.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat impacts the training flow.
Ease of Use
Can you easily break the treat into tiny pieces? If you buy larger treats, make sure they crumble or tear easily. This prevents you from giving too much food too fast.
Training Scenarios
- Basic Commands (Sit, Stay): Medium-value treats work well here.
- Distracting Environments (Park, Busy Street): Use your absolute highest-value treats. These rewards must outweigh the distractions around your dog.
- Quick Practice Sessions: Small, fast-to-eat treats are perfect for quick 5-minute sessions throughout the day.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Treats Dog Training
Q: How often should I give training treats?
A: When teaching a new skill, give a treat for every correct action. Once the dog understands the command, start rewarding every second or third correct action. This builds reliability.
Q: Should I use human food instead of dog treats?
A: Sometimes. Small pieces of boiled chicken or cheese work great as high-value rewards. However, use these sparingly, as they can cause tummy issues if given too often.
Q: What is a “high-value” treat?
A: A high-value treat is something your dog loves more than anything else. It is usually smelly and tasty, like dried liver or bacon bits. Save these for hard tasks.
Q: Can treats make my dog gain too much weight?
A: Yes, if you are not careful. Keep training treats small. Also, reduce your dog’s regular meal portions slightly on heavy training days to balance the calories.
Q: When should I stop using treats for training?
A: You should never stop rewarding completely. You switch from rewarding every time to rewarding randomly. This keeps the dog guessing and always trying for the reward.
Q: Are smelly treats always better?
A: Generally, yes. A strong smell helps capture your dog’s attention, especially outdoors where there are many other smells competing for their focus.
Q: What if my dog stops responding to my usual treats?
A: Your dog might be bored or the environment is too distracting. Try switching to an even higher-value treat. Or, make the training session easier for a while.
Q: Should I use treats for bad behavior?
A: No. Treats should only be used to reward the behavior you *want* to see. Ignoring unwanted behavior is usually more effective than punishing it.
Q: Can I make my own training treats?
A: Absolutely! Making your own allows you to control all the ingredients. Simple recipes using oats and meat often make excellent, healthy training rewards.
Q: How long should a training session last?
A: Keep sessions short, especially for puppies. Aim for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day. End the session on a positive note with a big reward.