Ever watch your furry friend completely ignore a command, even when you have a treat in hand? It’s frustrating! Training a dog takes patience, and the right motivation is key. Many pet owners struggle to find treats that are both high-value enough to grab their dog’s attention and healthy enough for regular use. You want rewards that work, not just empty calories.
Choosing the perfect training treat can feel like navigating a maze of ingredients and sizes. Are soft treats better than crunchy ones? Should you spend a fortune on gourmet snacks? We understand the confusion. This post cuts through the noise.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly what makes a treat effective for learning new skills. We will cover the best types of rewards for different training goals, helping you build a stronger bond with your dog. Get ready to turn those training sessions into successful, tasty adventures!
Top Dog Treats For 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
- 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.
- Nutritious Air Dried Dog Treats: Small Bites are air-dried to ensure sustainability and retain maximum nutrient value. These organic dog treats provide top-tier quality without the premium price tag, locking in all the natural nutrients to create a healthy choice that dogs find absolutely irresistible.
- Limited Ingredient Dog Treats: Small Bites are bite-sized, meaty morsels made with organic duck, designed to support healthy digestion for your pup. They contain organic chicken, cranberry, blueberry, sweet potato, and other natural ingredients, ensuring your pup's digestive health. These duck dog treats are made with real ingredients, are grain-free, and have no artificial flavors.
- The Perfect Dog Training Treats: Small Bites are ideal training treats for small, medium, and large dogs. They're great for offering multiple rewards during training sessions!
- Made in California: Our small dog chews are air-dried in our family-owned facility in Fresno, CA. We prioritize sourcing as many ingredients as possible from the U.S., with most coming from nearby our California facility. Our owners personally oversee the entire air-drying process, ensuring the highest quality standards from start to finish.
- Honestly Healthy Dog Treats: Plato Pet Treats was founded by Aaron Merrell after his Border Collie’s health scare inspired him to improve her diet. Noticing the connection between wholesome, nourishing ingredients and a pet’s well-being, Aaron created Plato Pet Treats to provide high-quality, delicious dog treats that help pets live healthier, longer lives, so every pet can thrive.
- 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
- BIG MOTIVATION IN EACH MINI BITE. Each of these 3 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 DOGS OF ALL SIZES. These bite-sized treats are the perfect size for training and every day treating for dogs of all sizes. Each 20 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.
- Nutritious Air Dried Dog Treats: Small Bites are air-dried to ensure sustainability and retain maximum nutrient value. These organic dog treats provide top-tier quality without the premium price tag, locking in all the natural nutrients to create a healthy choice that dogs find absolutely irresistible.
- Limited Ingredient Dog Treats: Small Bites are bite-sized, meaty morsels made with organic salmon, designed to support healthy digestion for your pup. They contain organic chicken, cranberry, blueberry, sweet potato, and other natural ingredients, ensuring your pup's digestive health. These salmon dog treats are made with real ingredients, are grain-free, and have no artificial flavors.
- The Perfect Dog Training Treats: Small Bites are ideal training treats for small, medium, and large dogs. They're great for offering multiple rewards during training sessions!
- Made in California: Our small dog chews are air-dried in our family-owned facility in Fresno, CA. We prioritize sourcing as many ingredients as possible from the U.S., with most coming from nearby our California facility. Our owners personally oversee the entire air-drying process, ensuring the highest quality standards from start to finish.
- Honestly Healthy Dog Treats: Plato Pet Treats was founded by Aaron Merrell after his Border Collie’s health scare inspired him to improve her diet. Noticing the connection between wholesome, nourishing ingredients and a pet’s well-being, Aaron created Plato Pet Treats to provide high-quality, delicious dog treats that help pets live healthier, longer lives, so every pet can thrive.
- 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) 11-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Chicken Recipe
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Dog Training Treats
Finding the right training treats can make a huge difference when teaching your dog new tricks or good manners. Treats are powerful motivators! This guide helps you choose the best options for successful training sessions.
Key Features to Look For
Good training treats share several important features. These features help keep training sessions fast, fun, and effective.
Size Matters Most
- Small Bites: Training requires many repetitions. Treats must be very small—think pea-sized or smaller. Your dog should eat it quickly and immediately return focus to you. Large treats take too long to chew.
- Easy to Break: If you buy larger treats, make sure you can easily break them into tiny pieces without making a huge mess.
High Value vs. Low Value
- High Value: These are super yummy treats reserved for brand-new, difficult, or distracting training situations (like working near squirrels). Your dog must *really* want these.
- Low Value: These are everyday treats used for easy commands your dog already knows well, like “sit” in a quiet room.
Texture and Freshness
The best training treats often have a soft, chewy texture. Dogs gobble soft treats instantly. Stale, hard biscuits slow down the pace of training.
Important Materials: What’s Inside Matters
The ingredients list tells you what your dog is eating. Always prioritize quality ingredients.
Protein Sources
- Look for real meat as the first ingredient. Good options include chicken, beef, salmon, or turkey. These provide the high-value motivation dogs crave.
- Avoid generic terms like “meat by-products” if possible.
Natural Additives
Healthy additions like sweet potatoes, carrots, or blueberries can boost flavor and nutrition. These are great for low-value treats.
What to Avoid
- Artificial Colors and Flavors: Your dog does not need bright red or blue colors. Skip these unnecessary additives.
- Excessive Fillers: Ingredients like corn, wheat, or soy are often used as cheap fillers. While not always harmful, they don’t offer much training reward value.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a training treat directly impacts your dog’s focus and health.
Quality Boosters
- Limited Ingredients: Treats with very short ingredient lists are often higher quality. They reduce the chance of tummy upset.
- Made in Reputable Countries: Treats manufactured under strict safety standards usually offer better quality control.
Quality Reducers
- High Fat Content: While fat adds flavor, too much fat in training treats can lead to an upset stomach or weight gain if you train frequently. Moderation is key.
- Hard, Crumbly Texture: These treats create crumbs that litter your treat pouch and take longer for your dog to consume, disrupting the flow of the training session.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the treats during training affects how well they work.
Convenience for the Trainer
- Treat Pouch Ready: Treats should easily fit into a treat pouch or pocket without leaving greasy residue. Soggy, sticky treats are frustrating to grab quickly.
- Easy Handling: You must be able to grab and dispense the treat in under one second.
Training Scenarios
- New Environments: When introducing a new skill outdoors or in a busy park, always use your highest-value treats.
- Proofing Behavior: Once your dog masters a command, you should “fade the lure” and start rewarding intermittently (sometimes with a treat, sometimes with praise). This keeps the behavior strong.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dog Training Treats
Q: How often should I give my dog training treats?
A: During active training sessions, you should reward every successful attempt initially. However, because you are using tiny pieces, you can reward frequently without overfeeding calories.
Q: Can I use my dog’s regular kibble as a training treat?
A: Yes, you can! If your dog loves their regular food, it makes a great low-value treat for easy commands. Reserve special smelly treats for tough new lessons.
Q: Are soft treats better than hard biscuits for training?
A: Generally, yes. Soft treats are consumed faster, meaning the dog returns focus to you quicker, which speeds up the learning process.
Q: Should I worry about my dog gaining weight from training treats?
A: You must monitor calories. Since training involves many rewards, use the smallest pieces possible. If you give many treats, reduce the size of your dog’s regular meals slightly.
Q: What is a “high-value” treat?
A: A high-value treat is something your dog finds incredibly desirable—often something smelly or meaty that they only get during focused training.
Q: How long do soft training treats usually stay fresh?
A: This varies by brand and storage. Always check the packaging. Many soft treats need refrigeration after opening, or they mold quickly due to their low preservative content.
Q: Can I make my own training treats at home?
A: Absolutely! Homemade treats allow you to control every ingredient, ensuring high quality and avoiding unnecessary fillers or preservatives.
Q: What if my dog refuses the training treat?
A: If your dog refuses the treat, it means the treat isn’t valuable enough for the current distraction level, or the environment is too overwhelming. Try a smellier, better treat!
Q: Should I stop using treats once my dog learns the command?
A: No, you should not stop completely. Instead, switch to an intermittent reward schedule. Reward randomly to keep your dog guessing and motivated long-term.
Q: Are grain-free treats always better for training?
A: Not necessarily. Grain-free is only essential if your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy. For most dogs, a high-quality treat containing healthy grains is fine, provided the primary ingredient is quality protein.