Ever watch your dog completely ignore a command, even when you have a treat ready? It’s frustrating! We all want our furry friends to learn quickly, but picking the perfect training treat can feel like a guessing game. Some treats are too big, some dogs lose interest too fast, and others just aren’t healthy for daily use. You want rewards that motivate your pup without causing tummy troubles or weight gain. Finding that sweet spot—the high-value reward that keeps tails wagging and ears attentive—is the key to successful training.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a training treat effective, healthy, and worth your dog’s enthusiastic attention. You will learn how to match the treat type to the training situation, ensuring every “sit” and “stay” counts. Get ready to discover the secrets to using treats to build better behavior and a stronger bond with your best friend. Let’s dive into the world of motivation and find the ultimate rewards for your training journey!
Top Treats For 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
- 1-pound bag of dog treats in a resealable pouch
- 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.
- 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.
- Natural dog treats made with added vitamins and minerals and no corn, wheat, or soy at only 2 calories per treat
- Keeps dogs begging for more with soft dog treats featuring real ingredients like cherries and chicken
- Excellent dog training treats dogs can enjoy on the trail, or on any adventure, while encouraging bonding
- Chewy treats crafted in the USA using the Earth’s best ingredients
- Choose your adventure with other Zuke’s treats for dogs like Lil’ Links, Puppy Naturals, and Hip and Joint
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Treats for Dog Training
Training your dog is fun! Good treats make training much easier. These special treats motivate your furry friend to learn new tricks and good manners. Finding the right training treats means looking closely at what makes them effective and safe. This guide helps you pick the best rewards for your dog.
Key Features to Look For in Training Treats
The best training treats share a few important features. These features help them work well during quick training sessions.
Size Matters Most
- Small and Quick: Training happens fast. You need treats small enough for your dog to eat in one or two quick bites. Large treats take too long to chew. This slows down the learning process.
- Portion Control: Small treats mean you can reward many times without overfeeding your dog.
High Value vs. Low Value
- High Value: These are the super yummy treats. Use these for hard new commands or when training in distracting places (like the park). Your dog finds these irresistible.
- Low Value: These are everyday, less exciting treats. Use these for easy, known commands at home.
Texture and Consistency
- Soft and Chewy: Soft treats are easiest for dogs to swallow quickly. Hard biscuits require more chewing time.
- Non-Greasy: Avoid overly oily treats. Greasy treats can leave residue on your hands, making your pockets messy.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients list tells you the true quality of the treat. Always check the label.
Protein Source
- Look for real meat or fish as the first ingredient. Chicken, beef, salmon, or duck are great choices.
- Treats made with whole foods are generally better than those listing vague meat meals.
Avoid Unnecessary Fillers
- Limit Grains and Corn: Many dogs do not need large amounts of corn, wheat, or soy, especially if they have allergies.
- Natural Preservatives: Good treats use natural preservatives like Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). Artificial colors and chemical preservatives should be avoided.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The production method greatly affects how good the treat is for your dog.
Quality Boosters (Improve Quality)
- Limited Ingredients: Treats with short ingredient lists are often easier to digest and safer for sensitive dogs.
- Added Benefits: Some treats include healthy additions like Omega-3s for skin or probiotics for digestion.
Quality Reducers (Reduce Quality)
- High Artificial Content: Treats packed with artificial colors (like Red 40) or artificial sweeteners reduce the overall quality. Dogs do not need these things.
- Hardness: Very hard, dense treats can be difficult for older dogs or small puppies to break down, reducing their effectiveness as quick rewards.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats changes what type you need.
Training Scenarios
- Puppy Classes: Use very small, soft, high-value treats. Puppies have short attention spans.
- Advanced Off-Leash Training: Use premium, irresistible treats. The reward must be better than the distractions outside.
- Daily Practice: Use regular, lower-calorie treats so your dog does not gain weight easily from constant rewarding.
Handling and Storage
- Resealable Packaging: Good packaging keeps the treats fresh and prevents them from drying out or crumbling.
- Easy Dispensing: Treats that pour easily from a pouch or bag are excellent for active training sessions.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Training Treats
Q: How often should I give training treats?
A: During active training, you should reward every time your dog performs the desired behavior correctly. This is called continuous reinforcement. Once the behavior is learned, you switch to intermittent rewards.
Q: Can training treats make my dog gain weight?
A: Yes, they can. Always use very small treats. Also, reduce your dog’s regular meal portion slightly if you are using many treats throughout the day.
Q: Are human foods safe to use as training treats?
A: Some human foods are safe, like small pieces of boiled chicken or carrots. However, processed human foods (like chips or bread) offer no nutritional value and should be avoided.
Q: What is the difference between training treats and regular dog biscuits?
A: Training treats are usually softer, smaller, and much higher value (more appealing) than regular biscuits. Biscuits are better for chewing or long-term rewards.
Q: Should I use the same treat for every command?
A: No. Use high-value treats for hard tasks and low-value treats for easy tasks. This keeps the high-value treats special and motivating.
Q: How do I know if a treat is “high value” for my dog?
A: A high-value treat is one your dog will choose over strong distractions, like squirrels or other dogs. If your dog ignores it, it is not high value enough for that situation.
Q: Are grain-free training treats always better?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free is only better if your dog has a known grain allergy. If your dog does fine with grains, grain-inclusive treats can still be healthy.
Q: Can I make my own training treats?
A: Yes, making your own is a great option. You control all the ingredients, usually ensuring they are soft and made from real meat or vegetables.
Q: What if my dog doesn’t like the treats I bought?
A: Stop using them immediately. If your dog ignores the reward, the training will fail. Try a different protein source, like switching from beef to cheese or liver.
Q: Should I use smelly treats for training outdoors?
A: Yes, smelly treats are often best for outdoor training. The strong odor helps your dog focus on you instead of the many exciting smells outside.