Ever watch your furry friend ignore your best commands, even when you have a treat in hand? It’s frustrating when training isn’t going as planned. Choosing the perfect dog training treat can feel like a guessing game. Should you pick something soft? Crunchy? Full of weird ingredients? The sheer number of choices makes it tough to know what truly motivates your dog and keeps them healthy.
Many owners worry about giving too many sugary snacks or treats packed with fillers. You want something that works like magic during a training session but doesn’t derail your dog’s diet. Finding that sweet spot—high value for your dog, low guilt for you—is the real challenge.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore what makes a training treat effective, discuss essential ingredients to look for, and share tips on using treats smartly. Get ready to transform those tricky training moments into successful learning opportunities with the right rewards in your pocket!
Top Dog Training Treat 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 Guide to Choosing the Best Dog Training Treats
Training your dog takes patience and consistency. The right treats make all the difference! These small rewards motivate your furry friend to learn new commands quickly. Finding the perfect training treat can feel overwhelming, but this guide breaks down exactly what you need to know.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for training treats, focus on what makes a treat effective for quick training sessions.
1. Size and Texture
- Small Size: Training treats must be tiny—think pea-sized or smaller. You want your dog to eat them fast and get right back to training. Big treats slow things down too much.
- Soft Texture: Soft, chewy treats are ideal. Dogs chew soft treats quickly. Hard, crunchy biscuits take too long to finish.
2. High Value vs. Low Value
Not all treats are equal in your dog’s eyes. Some treats work better for hard tasks, while others work for easy ones.
- High Value: These are the “superstars.” Use these for brand-new or difficult commands (like recall outside). These treats should be extra smelly and delicious, like freeze-dried liver or small bits of cheese.
- Low Value: These are everyday rewards for easy tasks your dog already knows well (like a simple sit). Kibble or standard biscuits often work here.
3. Smell and Palatability
If your dog doesn’t smell it, they won’t care about it! Strong, appealing smells grab a dog’s attention, especially in distracting environments like parks.
Important Ingredients and Materials
What goes into the treat seriously affects its health benefits and how well your dog responds to it.
1. Protein Source
Look for real meat as the first ingredient. Chicken, beef, salmon, or lamb are excellent choices. These protein sources provide the best motivation.
2. Limited, Simple Ingredients
The best training treats have short ingredient lists. Fewer ingredients mean less chance of upsetting your dog’s stomach. Avoid treats packed with fillers.
3. Avoid Unnecessary Additives
Artificial colors, flavors, and excess preservatives should be avoided. These offer no training benefit and might cause allergies.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality directly impacts training success and your dog’s health.
Quality Boosters:
- Nutrient Density: Treats that offer some nutritional value (like added vitamins or omega fatty acids) are higher quality.
- Freshness: Treats made with fewer preservatives often have a shorter shelf life but maintain better flavor and texture.
Quality Reducers:
- High Carbohydrate Fillers: Treats loaded with corn, wheat, or soy are generally lower quality for training because dogs value meat much more than grains.
- Dryness/Brittleness: If a treat crumbles into dust easily, it creates a mess in your treat pouch and loses its appealing texture.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treat during training matters as much as what the treat actually is.
Treat Pouch Compatibility
Treats must fit easily into a training pouch attached to your belt. If the treat is too big or sticky, it becomes annoying to deliver quickly.
Training Scenarios
- Indoor/Basic Training: Standard, low-value treats work well when the environment is calm.
- High-Distraction Environments (Parks, Busy Streets): Always use high-value, smelly treats here. The reward must outweigh the distraction of squirrels or other dogs.
- Quick Corrections/Reinforcement: The treat must be dispensed in under one second so the dog connects the reward immediately to the correct action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dog Training Treats
Q: How often should I give my dog training treats?
A: You should reward every successful attempt when teaching a new behavior. Once the dog masters the skill, you switch to random reinforcement—rewarding only sometimes.
Q: Can I use my dog’s regular kibble as training treats?
A: Yes, if your dog loves kibble! For easy tasks or low-distraction areas, kibble is a great, healthy option. Switch to higher-value treats for hard work.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free just means they skip wheat or corn. Look at the rest of the ingredients. Some dogs need grain-free due to allergies, but others do fine with healthy grains.
Q: Should training treats be used for regular snacking?
A: No. Training treats should only be used *during* training sessions. If you give them all day, they lose their special value as a reward.
Q: What should I do if my dog stops responding to the treats?
A: This usually means the treat is no longer “high value” enough for the current distraction level. Try switching to something smellier and tastier.
Q: How long should a training treat take to eat?
A: Ideally, less than one second. The dog should swallow it almost instantly so you can immediately move on to the next repetition.
Q: Are soft treats better than hard biscuits for training?
A: Generally, yes. Soft textures are consumed faster, which keeps the training momentum going strong.
Q: Can I make my own training treats?
A: Absolutely! Making your own allows you to control all ingredients, often resulting in very high-value, fresh, and healthy options.
Q: What if my dog has a sensitive stomach?
A: If your dog has sensitivities, look for single-ingredient treats (like plain dried sweet potato or plain dried chicken). Introduce new treats very slowly.
Q: Should I use treats if my dog is overweight?
A: Yes, but be careful! If your dog needs to lose weight, you must account for the calories. Reduce their regular meal size by the amount of calories given in treats that day, or use very low-calorie options like plain carrots.