Ever watch your tiny puppy zoom around, full of energy, and then wonder how you will ever teach them to sit still? Training a new puppy is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming! You want to reward good behavior, but staring at the wall of colorful treat bags at the pet store can bring on a serious headache. Which ones are healthy? Which ones will actually motivate your furry friend to listen?
Choosing the perfect training treat is crucial. The wrong choice means treats that crumble too slowly, treats your puppy ignores, or worse, unhealthy snacks that don’t support their fast growth. You need small, high-value rewards that make learning fun and effective for both of you.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a great training treat. You will learn about ideal ingredients, the perfect size, and how to match the treat to the training moment. Get ready to discover the secret weapons that will make your puppy training sessions successful and delicious!
Top Dog Treats For Training Puppies 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
- GRAIN-FREE PUPPY TREATS: These bite-sized, soft puppy training treats are the perfect reward during training sessions or any time you want to thank your dog for good behavior. Puppy bites contain 6 calories per individual treat!
- SUPPORTS BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: Soft dog treats are crafted with salmon, a healthy source of DHA to promote healthy brain development.
- HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: These treats for dogs are made with minimal ingredients focused on quality proteins: made with lamb and salmon, with added vitamins specifically for puppies.
- NO CORN, WHEAT, OR SOY: Treats for dogs do not contain wheat, wheat gluten, corn, soy, or artificial colors.
- MADE IN USA: Our dog treats are quality-assured, made in USA, and crafted from the finest globally-sourced ingredients. Treats are tender, healthy, and bite-sized for small, medium, and large dogs of all lifestages, and activity levels.
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: Baby BLUE Training Treats are made with delicious real chicken as the first ingredient, plus DHA for cognitive development, making them the ideal reward for your puppy’s best behavior
- MEATY TRAINING TREATS: For puppies that love a meaty treat, Baby BLUE training dog treats are tender, bite-sized morsels that make them perfect for training
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats contain NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free of corn, wheat and soy; Plus, they’re free of artificial preservatives and colors
- 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 Buffalo Baby BLUE Training Treats Natural Puppy Soft Dog Treats, Savory Chicken
- 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 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
- Contains one (1) 36 ounce canister of mini dog biscuits in 3 tasty flavors: beef, chicken and bacon
- Tasty mini dog treats prepared with care and right-sized for treating more often
- Crunchy texture helps freshen breath and reduce tartar build-up, perfect for sloppy doggie kisses
- Wholesome goodness at only 5 calories per treat with 12 vitamins and minerals
- Bone-shaped deliciousness that makes dog life more fun
- MINI CRUNCHY PUPPY TREATS: These delicious, grain free crunchy treats are made with 2 kinds of fresh meat plus added vitamins specially for puppies and a natural source of DHA to promote healthy brain development
- ALL NATURAL: These crunchy and tasty treats are made with whole fruits and veggies including superfoods like blueberries and sweet potatoes for a naturally craveable flavor and a boost of antioxidants
- THOUGHTFULLY MADE: We craft delicious treats with simple, natural, high quality ingredients chosen for their nutritional benefits; no meat byproducts, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
- FIND THE RIGHT TREATS: From puppy to senior, small dog to large breed, crunchy to chewy, grained to grain free, treating to training, we've got an all natural recipe for every dog's needs and taste
- TRAINING AND REWARDING: These bite sized crunchy puppy training treats are the perfect rewards during training sessions or any time you want to thank your dog for good behavior
- Lots of flavor, not fillers: Just three simple, all-natural ingredients mean low calories and high nutritional value, making a tasty but healthy treat that your pup will actually love
- Ready for training, wherever you are: The best training is consistent training. Our small treats are lightweight and perfectly sized for quick rewards so they are ready to go whenever there is a training opportunity
- Mess free treats: No oily, greasy, crumbly messes here, Pupford treats keep your hands and pouches clean. You can even keep some in your pocket for walks, classes, or mini adventures without worrying about them getting grimy or stale
- Motivate even the pickiest of pups: A wide range of flavors makes it easy to find the perfect fit for your pup’s tastes
- Pupford Promise: We strive to always provide simple, high-quality, healthy pup essentials. If you or your pup aren't happy with a purchase, let us know so we can help find the right fit!
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Training Treats for Your Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is exciting! Training starts right away. Good training treats make learning fun and fast. This guide helps you pick the perfect snacks for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for puppy training treats, look for a few important things.
- Size: Treats must be tiny! Puppies get full fast. Small treats mean you can reward them often without overfeeding. Think pea-sized or smaller.
- Softness: Soft treats are best. Puppies are teething, and hard biscuits can hurt their gums. Soft treats are easy to chew quickly, keeping training sessions moving.
- Smell: A good, appealing smell helps grab your puppy’s attention. If the treat smells great to them, they will work harder for it.
- High Value: For tough commands, you need a “high-value” treat. This is something your puppy loves more than anything else. Save these for important training moments.
Important Materials in Puppy Treats
What goes into the treat really matters for a growing puppy.
Always check the ingredient list first. High-quality ingredients mean better nutrition and fewer tummy issues.
- Real Protein Source: Look for chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey listed as the very first ingredient. This is the main building block for your puppy.
- Natural Binders: Ingredients like sweet potato, oats, or rice flour are good binders. They hold the treat together naturally.
- Avoid Fillers: Stay away from treats packed with corn, soy, or wheat if your puppy has sensitivities. These often add bulk but little nutrition.
- No Artificial Anything: Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be avoided. They offer no benefit to your puppy.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Treat Quality
The quality of a training treat directly affects your puppy’s health and training success.
What Improves Quality:
Treats with limited, whole ingredients are usually higher quality. Treats baked or gently air-dried often retain more nutritional value. Treats with added healthy fats, like Omega-3s (from fish oil), support brain development—perfect for training!
What Reduces Quality:
A long ingredient list full of chemicals reduces quality. Treats that crumble into dust easily are often dry and stale. If the treat is very cheap, it probably contains many low-quality fillers.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat during training changes which type you should buy.
Training sessions should be short, especially when puppies are very young (under 16 weeks). Keep sessions to 3-5 minutes.
- Quick Rewards (Recall/Sit): For fast actions like coming when called, use the smallest, softest treats. You need to reward them instantly.
- Longer Focus (Stay/Down): For commands that take longer, you can use slightly larger, perhaps more interesting, treats. You give these after the puppy holds the position for a few seconds.
- Portability: Good training treats should not melt in your pocket or make a huge mess. Look for treats that come in a resealable bag or a small, clean treat pouch.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Puppy Training Treats
Q: How often should I give my puppy training treats?
A: You should reward good behavior constantly when training! This means many tiny treats throughout short sessions, not just a few big ones.
Q: Can I use my puppy’s regular kibble as a treat?
A: Yes! If your puppy loves their regular food, you can use a few pieces of kibble as low-value rewards. This is great for managing calorie intake.
Q: How many calories should training treats have?
A: Training treats should make up less than 10% of your puppy’s total daily calorie intake. Because you give so many, they must be very low in calories.
Q: When should I switch from training treats to adult treats?
A: Talk to your vet, but generally, puppies transition to adult food and treats around 9 to 18 months, depending on their breed size.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better for puppies?
A: Not necessarily. Some puppies thrive on grains like rice or oats. Grain-free is only better if your puppy shows an allergy to wheat or corn.
Q: What if my puppy gets an upset stomach from the treats?
A: Stop using those treats immediately. Introduce any new treat very slowly, one at a time, to see what agrees with their sensitive puppy tummy.
Q: Should I use smelly treats outside?
A: Yes! Strong-smelling treats work best outdoors where there are many distractions. The smell helps keep your puppy focused on you.
Q: Are freeze-dried meats good training treats?
A: Freeze-dried meats are excellent! They are high-value and usually have very simple ingredients, making them a top choice for focusing your puppy.
Q: How do I stop my puppy from only working for treats?
A: Start practicing intermittent reinforcement. After your puppy learns a command well, start rewarding randomly—sometimes with a treat, sometimes with praise, and sometimes with a quick play session.
Q: Can I make my own puppy training treats?
A: Absolutely! Homemade treats allow you to control all the ingredients, ensuring they are soft, small, and healthy for your growing pup.