Does your furry friend sometimes act more like a furry tornado than a well-behaved companion? We’ve all been there. Trying to teach “sit” or “stay” can feel like talking to a wall sometimes, right? Finding the perfect training method feels like a huge puzzle with a million pieces.
In the world of dog training, “treats” are a big deal. But how do you know which treats work best, and which training style fits your dog’s personality? Picking the wrong approach can lead to frustration for both you and your pup. You want a happy dog and a happy home, but the path there isn’t always clear.
This post will break down the world of treats in dog training. We’ll look at what makes a treat a good training tool and how different trainers use them. By the end, you’ll feel much more confident about choosing the right path for your dog’s education.
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.
- 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
- 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.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Treats Dog Training Aids
Choosing the right training treats for your dog can make a huge difference in your success. Good treats motivate your dog to learn quickly. Bad treats might just fill them up or even cause tummy troubles. This guide helps you pick the best training rewards for your furry friend.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you shop for training treats, look for these important features:
- Small Size: Training requires many repetitions. Treats must be tiny—think pea-sized or smaller. Big treats fill your dog up too fast, making them lose interest in future rewards.
- High Value: A high-value treat is something your dog loves more than anything else. This is key for hard-to-teach commands or distracting environments. Not all dogs value the same thing, so test a few options.
- Quick Consumption: The dog should eat the treat in one second or less. If they spend too long chewing, they stop paying attention to you.
- Soft Texture: Soft, chewy treats are usually best. They are easy to break into tiny pieces and are satisfying for the dog.
2. Important Materials and Ingredients
What goes into the treat matters a lot for your dog’s health and training focus.
Focus on Good Proteins
The best training treats often use real meat as the first ingredient. Look for things like real chicken, liver, or beef. These smell strong and taste great to dogs, making them highly motivating.
Avoid Unnecessary Fillers
Low-quality treats often use cheap fillers to bulk up the product. Try to avoid treats where corn, wheat, or soy are listed as the very first ingredients. These ingredients offer little training value and can sometimes upset sensitive stomachs.
Check for Shelf Life and Preservatives
Many premium training treats are semi-moist. Check the packaging to see if they require refrigeration after opening. While natural preservatives are fine, too many artificial colors or chemicals are best avoided.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The overall quality of the treat directly impacts how effective your training sessions are.
Quality Boosters:
- Strong Aroma: A treat that smells powerfully of real meat keeps your dog focused, even when other distractions are present.
- Limited Ingredients: Fewer ingredients mean less chance of upsetting your dog’s digestion. This is crucial if you train daily.
Quality Reducers:
- Hardness: Very hard biscuits are difficult to break into small pieces. They also take too long to chew.
- Greasy Residue: Treats that leave a lot of grease on your fingers are messy to carry around in a treat pouch and can sometimes cause loose stool if overfed.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How the treat works in your hand and during a session defines the user experience.
Portability is Key
You need a treat that travels well. If you are training at the park or on long walks, the treat should stay fresh and easy to access in your pocket or a dedicated pouch. Overly crumbly or sticky treats make training frustrating.
Training Scenarios:
- Beginner Training (e.g., Sit): Use a medium-value treat. The dog is already excited to work with you.
- Advanced/Distraction Training (e.g., Recall Outside): Use your absolute highest-value treat—something they only get when the stakes are high.
Remember, training treats should not make up a large part of your dog’s daily diet. Use them only during training sessions and adjust their regular meal portion accordingly to prevent weight gain.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Treats Dog Training
Q: How small should training treats be?
A: They should be very small, about the size of a pea or even smaller. You want your dog to eat it instantly.
Q: Can I use my dog’s regular kibble as training treats?
A: You can, but only if your dog finds kibble highly motivating. For hard tasks, a special, high-value soft treat works much better.
Q: How often should I give a treat while training?
A: When first teaching a new behavior, reward every single correct attempt (continuous reinforcement). As the dog learns, start rewarding randomly.
Q: What is a “high-value” treat?
A: A high-value treat is something your dog absolutely loves—often small pieces of cheese, hot dogs, or specialized soft meat treats.
Q: Are freeze-dried meat treats good for training?
A: Yes, freeze-dried options are excellent because they are usually high in protein, smell strong, and are easy to break into small, dry pieces.
Q: How do I stop giving treats once my dog learns the command?
A: You transition from rewarding every time to rewarding intermittently (randomly). Keep rewarding good behavior, but not every single time.
Q: What should I do if my dog gets an upset stomach from the treats?
A: Stop using those treats immediately. Switch to a single-ingredient treat (like plain boiled chicken) to see if that helps settle their digestion.
Q: Should I use treats for older dogs?
A: Yes, older dogs still love rewards! Just make sure the treats are soft enough for older teeth and watch the total calorie intake carefully.
Q: Are smelly treats better than non-smelly treats?
A: Generally, yes. A strong smell helps capture and hold your dog’s attention, especially when training around distractions.
Q: Can I make my own training treats?
A: Absolutely. Homemade treats allow you to control all the ingredients, ensuring they are soft, small, and free of unwanted fillers.