Some dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. Others are food-motivated. In either case, having the right training treats is vital to teaching your dog tricks and commands like sit, lie down, and stay.
Just like when you are buying dog food and kibble, you have to do some research when buying treats. Keep these things in mind:
- Read the labels. The best dog training treats are made with high-quality, organic ingredients like beef liver and chicken.
- Get enough treats to reward good dog behavior frequently, not just during training sessions. Dog owners quickly learn that reinforcing good behavior is the best way to teach tricks and enforce obedience.
- Be sure to get puppy training treats for a young dog. Low-calorie treats are better for large dogs or adult pups that don’t fill up as quickly.
- Get dog training treats that your dog loves by letting them try out a few different treat varieties and flavors. Dogs like a lot of different flavors overall!
- Ensure that your dog treats don’t have harmful preservatives, sulfates, or parabens, which can be bad for your canine.
Here’s a breakdown of the 12 best dog training treats you can use to reward your canine companion.
Best for Healthy Training: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Treats for Training with Chicken Recipe
Key features: Bite-sized treats, chicken flavor
There’s a lot to like about these dog training treats, ranging from fantastic ingredients to low-calorie content. Overall, these could be a good choice if you want to maximize healthy training results for your pup without risking them gaining weight.
Pros
Consider these excellent benefits if you’re looking for natural, delicious dog treats for your pup:
- An ideal training solution for pet parents who want to make sure their dogs learn commands without becoming unhealthy.
- Only has two calories per treat, so it’s great for training your dog without filling them up too much.
- Natural ingredients come in a resealable pouch so they are great for training on the go.
- Real chicken is the first ingredient for these soft and chewy dog treats, which can be used for all dog breeds.
Cons
While there are big benefits, there’s also a notable downside should you choose these dog treats — these are not the most affordable training treat pack on the market, so another option may be a better choice.
Best for Superfood Ingredients: Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
Features: Bite-sized, flavor varieties
Flavor, perfect size, and excellent nutrients — all are found in these Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats. They’re great choices for a variety of reasons, making them popular among pet parents.
Pros
With so much packed into every bite, there are lots of reasons why the stock treats might be just what you’re looking for:
- Packed with excellent and highly nutritious ingredients, such as fruits, and whole grains.
- Appropriate for training dogs in all life stages.
- Since the treats are baked, they will usually last for a long time.
- Still good for health-conscious dog parents, as there are only three calories per treat.
- Very fragrant, so dogs will immediately smell these treats and be ready for commands.
- Available in several different flavors, like pumpkin spice, grilled bison, and apple bacon.
Cons
On the downside, there is one major potential disadvantage you should be aware of before finalizing your purchase — the stong smell. If you find the smell to be offputting, you won’t be able to easily escape it.
Best for Natural Treat Lovers: Buddy Biscuits Training Bites
Features: Bite-sized, bacon flavor
Who doesn’t love bacon? Your dog certainly does — a good reason to pick up these training treats. They’re sized perfectly, packed with nutrients, and come with a lot of value for money with each purchase.
Pros
Whether you’re in the market for something affordable or nutritious, there are many reasons why these training treats could be just what you’re looking for:
- Only 1.5 calories per treat.
- Formulated with totally natural ingredients like natural bacon.
- There are no soy, corn, or artificial flavors or preservatives to worry about.
- There are a whopping 500 treats per bag, making it highly affordable and a great value for your money.
- Palatable to dogs and sure to get them inspired to listen to your commands and learn new tricks quickly.
Cons
However, there is a potential downside to keep in mind as well before you buy a bunch of treats in bulk. These treats can feel a little sticky in your hand, and they may smell bad if they become hot or you leave them in the sun.
Best for Allergy Relief: Bocce’s Bakery Quack, Quack, Quack Training Treats
Features: Bite-sized, duck and blueberry flavors
Some of the best treats mix meat and fruit flavors, including these options. They’re baked to perfection and made in the United States, so it’s no surprise that they are popular among dogs and dog owners alike.
Pros
There are many reasons why you might choose these dog training treats over alternatives:
- A perfect set of treats for allergy relief for dogs with sensitive stomachs thanks to the ingredient composition.
- All the treats are baked in the United States with domestically sourced ingredients.
- Only four calories each, the small pieces are great for training rewards.
- Totally free of corn, wheat, and soy, with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
- Resealable treat pouch is great for taking with you on the go.
- Several different flavors are available.
Cons
At the same time, there’s at least one disadvantage that might make you hesitate before pulling the trigger. The treats can mush together if they are stored improperly, so keep these in a cool and dry place for the best results.
Best for Puppy Training: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Natural Grain-Free Treats for Training
Features: Bite-sized, lamb and salmon flavor
Delicious, nutritional, and bite-sized — these are particularly for puppies that need to learn the ropes of obedience and basic commands. Since they’re made with two different types of meat, in addition to fruits and veggies, they provide your pup with motivation and vitamins at the same time.
Pros
Truth be told, there are so many positive elements to these treats that there’s little reason not to choose them for your dog:
- The best dog training treats for puppies overall, thanks to their ingredients and the fact that they are a natural source of DHA — a key amino acid that contributes to brain development in young canines.
- Made with two types of fresh meat, plus fruits and veggies like blueberries and sweet potatoes.
- Made with real meat without meat byproducts, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
- Smaller pieces are perfect for young puppies with small mouths.
- Several flavors so you can also purchase the treats in bulk.
Cons
Still, owners of older dogs may wish to opt for an alternative treat, as these treats might be unnecessary for older dogs who have already completed their development.
Best for Cognitive Development: Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
Features: Bite-sized, beef flavor
If you’re in the market for dog treats that will help your pup grow up to be strong and athletic, these are the options for you. That’s because they come packed with the right nutrients necessary to foster brain development and are formulated for extra vitamin content and great flavor — what’s not to like?
Pros
In aggregate, these dog training treats have so many advantages that it’s no wonder they’re popular picks among pup parents:
- Some of the best dog training treats for cognitive development because they are packed with DHA and other key ingredients, plus they are free from artificial preservatives.
- They don’t contain any chicken or poultry byproducts, but they come with pure protein to help your dog grow big and strong.
- These wholesome treats are made with natural ingredients.
- The soft treats are moist and delicious for most dogs, helping to inspire obedient behavior.
Cons
Even though these treats have a lot of advantages, they might not be just what you’re looking for due to their unique formulas.
They do also have a strong scent, especially if they get wet or warm. Keep this in mind if you hold a handful of treats in your palm.
Best for Variety Lovers: Old Mother Hubbard by Wellness Training Bitz Assorted Mix Natural Dog Treats
Features: Bite-sized, variety flavors
If your dog loves variety, they will love these dog treats. That’s because they come with a handful of flavors, so each treat is a bit of a surprise for your pup. However, that also means that you’ll face an extra challenge if your dog develops a favorite for one flavor or another.
Pros
Check out some of these big benefits of the Old Mother Hubbard treats, many of which could convince you that they are right for your dog:
- A good dog treat for canines that get bored tasting the same flavor of treat over and over. These treats come with an assorted mix of chicken, chicken liver, and vegetable flavors in the same treat bag.
- Every biscuit is oven-baked to preserve the flavors and ensure the best taste.
- Only two calories per treat, so they are great for dogs that might be in danger of weight gain.
- Good value for money, as each packet is highly affordable and comes with dozens of treats.
Cons
As noted above, you won’t be able to prioritize one flavor or another without difficulty. You can’t pick one flavor or the other in a single purchase, so if your dog likes just one flavor, you’ll have to work around that with your training regimen.
Best for Low-Fat Training: Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Reward Mini Dog Treats
Features: Bit-sized, bacon flavor
Some dogs need lower-calorie treats that won’t cause them to gain weight. If that’s the case for your pup, these are just the ticket. They still taste wonderful and the purchase is affordable, allowing you to help your pup stay healthy while you train them.
Pros
There are many reasons why you might choose these dog treats over their competitors:
- With only 1.5 calories per treat, these are the ideal dog training treats for high-weight pups. Meat is the first ingredient, keeping the overall calorie count low.
- You get 200 treats in the bag, and at a low price, there’s lots of value for your money.
- There’s no BHA, BHT, or other harmful ingredients to worry about.
- The treats are manufactured in the United States, so you can rest assured that they are high-quality.
Cons
At the same time, there are also some potential cons to keep in mind before purchasing these treats:
- While there are three flavors available, the bacon flavor is by far the best, while the beef and chicken flavors may not be as motivating for your dogs.
- Treats can smell bad when you first open the bag.
Best for Safe Training: Full Moon All Natural Human Grade Duck Training Treats For Dogs
Features: Bite-sized, duck flavor
If you’re in the market for all-natural treats that are good enough for humans to snack on, stop right here. These are tasty, nutritional, and perfect for dogs that need a little extra incentive to learn a new trick or obey a difficult command.
Pros
With so many big benefits, you might consider giving these dog treats a try at the earliest opportunity.
- These are the best dog training treats overall if you want to maximize canine safety. That’s because they are made with all-natural and grain-free ingredients.
- You won’t find any fillers, colors, preservatives, or other harmful compounds whatsoever.
- All ingredients are regionally sourced, including USDA-approved duck.
- The unique flavor and chewy texture make them the perfect high-value treats for dogs that are only food-motivated or are learning particularly complex commands.
- Other honest ingredients like paprika, flaxseed, and ground celery provide additional nutrients to your dog.
Cons
Even with those benefits, it’s also true that these treats have one potential downside — they’re a little expensive compared to other training treat packs, though not by much.
Best for Training Program Followers: Pupford Freeze Dried Dog Training Treats
Features: Granule-sized, chicken flavor
Some dogs and pet parents benefit from a straightforward, rigorous training regimen. Many use these treats in training programs — plus they offer excellent nutritional content.
Pros
These dog training treats are favorites among pet parents for several big reasons:
- These freeze-dried treats are ideal to use during long training sessions with multiple rewards.
- Comes with a free 30-day training program from popular trainer Zak George.
- High-quality treats with good ingredients and minerals, not artificial preservatives.
- Each bag has over 475 treats, so they’re great for small dogs and puppies.
- No filler, sugar, or other junk you need to worry about.
- Several different flavors are available, ranging from chicken to beef to sweet potato.
Cons
However, these treats are also less than stellar due to a handful of minor flaws:
- Granule size of treats can make them hard to find or keep track of, especially if you drop them.
- May not be sufficiently motivating for big dogs.
Best for Professionally Recommended: Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Soft & Chewy Dog Training Treats
Features: Bite-sized, peanut butter flavor
Some pet parents feel most comfortable when using training treats that professionals use. If that’s the case for you, check these out — chewy treats recommended by a variety of experts in the dog training industry. When you use these treats, you could have better peace of mind.
Pros
If you’re still not convinced, check out these big benefits of choosing these dog treats over all others:
- These dog training treats are recommended by professional dog trainers thanks to their low calorie count and high-quality ingredients.
- Dog will love the soft texture that doesn’t dry out or crumble in your hands.
- Made with 100% grain-free and natural ingredients, they are baked in the United States.
- There are 130 treats in the bag, and the bag price is pretty cheap, so it’s great in terms of value for money.
- Peanut butter flavor is relatively rare, so it could be a good training treat for dogs that have already grown bored of other training solutions.
Cons
Because these treats are so specialized, they may not be the right pick for your pup. They’re best for active dogs who are very picky, as the treats are not meant for low-activity or indoor pups (the calorie count might be too high).
Best for Health Benefits: Zesty Paws All-in-One Training Bites
Features: Granule-sized, bacon flavor
If you’re looking for healthy treats that provide extra benefits, you don’t need to go further. The Zesty Paws treats are packed with nutrients and vitamins, and they come in a handful of flavors your dog will love once they get a taste.
Pros
You might like these training bites for the below reasons and more:
- These training bites provide a variety of different health benefits thanks to their ingredients, like EPA, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Made of high-quality ingredients to promote brain development, immune support, and cardiovascular health — all good things for growing dogs.
- Available in two flavors, including bacon and peanut butter.
- These easy-to-chew small treats could be good choices for very small puppies.
- Can also be used for dogs of all sizes to test their behavior and obedience.
Cons
Alternatively, these treats might not be right for you if these disadvantages apply to your situation:
- Small size makes them easy to get lost or bunched up in your hand by accident.
- Treats can break down and turn crumbly if they get too hot or dry.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there’s no limit to the variety of dog training treats you can purchase. The Pupford Freeze Dried Dog Training Treats might be the ideal choice if you also want a training program alongside your treats, while the Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Reward Mini Dog Treats are the best picks overall for dogs that need to lose weight. Whatever you choose, your canine companion will surely be thrilled when they taste one of these new treats for the first time!
Sources:
- Incentive motivation in pet dogs – preference for constant vs varied food rewards | Scientific Reports
- Pet Caloric Needs | Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Information | Mount Sinai – New York
- Human grade pet food on trend but poses challenges | Petfood Industry
- Dog Training Revolution | Zak George
