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Best overall
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Ideal for large dogs
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Ideal for small dogs
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Ideal for puppies
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Ideal for sensitive stomachs
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Best High Value
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Best low calorie
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Best fluffy
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Better crunch
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The most practical
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Training is an essential part of being a pet parent, and positive reinforcement (giving your dog a positive stimulus when he engages in desirable behavior) is the best way to train your dog while strengthening your bond.
Treats are one of the best and easiest ways to reward your dog, but there are some things to consider when looking for the best training treats for your pup. As a professional dog trainer, here are my suggestions on how to find the perfect treats to use when training your dog, along with some of my favorite options so you can maximize your training sessions.
RELATED: What is a marker in formation? And why you probably want to use one
What Makes a Good Dog Training Treat?
It may take some trial and error to figure out which flavors your dog likes, but in general treats should be:
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Small size for quick and easy chewing
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Low in calories to keep your puppy healthy
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Soft and easy to eat without risk of choking
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Portable
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High value so your dog will want to earn them
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Smelly! What’s smelly to us is usually extra-delicious to your pup.
If you get to the bottom of your treat bag, you can substitute small pieces of cheese or bites of cooked meats like chicken, turkey, or ground beef. Remember to rotate the treats you give your pup so he doesn’t get bored, and offer something really high value when he drives a particularly hard nail. signal (like performing a flawless abseil in a busy area, perhaps?).
What to Avoid in Dog Training Treats
The purpose of a training treat is that it can be quickly dispensed, tasted and swallowed so that the training session can continue and we can keep our dog’s focus. So, better to avoid:
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Treats that are too big
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Treats that will take too long to eat
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Biscuits or anything that could pose a choking hazard
Remember, your dog decides the reinforcer
It is the speech of a trainer to say that it is your dog who decides his reward, not you. You might find that toys are more effective than treats, you might have to play a game with food, or you might find that a dog biscuit is much more effective than real meat (that’s is the case with my boy).
So while these are my favorite dog training treats, remember that your dog is an individual and should be treated as such.
The 10 Best Dog Training Treats
Best Overall: The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Green Lamb Tripe
Guts tend to be very smelly, so these treats might not be the best for you and me. If you have a nose-facing dog (think beagle), they will probably find these treats delicious, which will certainly help them in their training.
Buy now: The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. Lamb Green Tripe, $11; amazon.com
Best for Large Dogs: Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders Dog Treats
I separate them with a large knife to cut them into smaller portions that are quicker to eat. But I would only recommend these for large breeds of dogs as they can chew treats faster than a small breed so you can still train. This gives a slightly different texture, and they are odorless!
Buy now: Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders dog treats, $17; chewy.com
Best for Small Dogs: Full Moon Duck Training Grain-Free Dog Treats
The Daily Paws business editor (and her dogs!) love those workout treats. They’re the perfect size to slip into your pockets or a treat pouch without taking up too much space (or leaving a trail of crumbs behind). They’re small and soft enough for puppies to eat quickly without choking (and under three calories each).
Buy now: Full Moon Duck Training grain-free dog treats, $7; chewy.com
Best for Puppies: Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats Salmon & Chickpea
It’s always good to have a variety of flavor options on hand, including fish! Here are some of the best puppy treats you can have: they’re small, they’re valuable, and they’re easy to eat, even for a puppy. puppy teething or an older dog!
Buy now: Zuke’s Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats Salmon & Chickpea, $6; chewy.com
Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Pet Nutrition 360 Freeze-Dried Beef Liver
The liver is one of the tastiest things for dogs, and as a result, these treats tend to be highly prized. Made from a single ingredient, these treats may be suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those who cannot tolerate chicken. Try interspersing them with your pup’s other treats to ensure your pup doesn’t get too much vitamin A (liver is a great source of vitamin A, but we don’t want to get too much!).
Buy now: 360 Pet Nutrition Freeze-Dried Beef Liver, $17; amazon.com
Best Value: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Treats with Chicken Hearts
Now, these aren’t for the faint of heart, as they look exactly like they are: freeze-dried chicken hearts. These treats are very popular with my dogs and those of my clients. Rich and tasty, they will encourage your dog to work. You can also split them into several pieces to make them last longer.
Buy now: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Chicken Hearts Raw Treats, $9; chewy.com
Best Low Calorie: Pupford Freeze-Dried Workout Sweet Potato Treats
At less than one calorie per treat, you can feel great feeding these freeze-dried sweet potato treats during a workout or while teaching a new skill. These are also the perfect large treats and can be a good option for dogs with allergies.
Show now: Pupford Freeze-Dried Sweet Potato Candy, $16; amazon.com
Best Chewy: Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft and Chewy Bison Dog Treats
These little treats are a bit chewier than some of the crunchies listed here. If you have a dog that struggles with their teeth, this can be a wonderful and tasty alternative.
Buy now: Fruitables Skinny Minis Soft and chewy bison dog treats, $5; petco.com
Best Crispy: Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Natural P-Nuttier Mini Dog Biscuits
These are from afar my dog’s favorite biscuit Indie (some dogs just prefer biscuits to something chewy, and that’s okay!). They’re also a good size, can easily be broken into smaller pieces, and are available at a number of stores. These are always worth having on hand.
Buy now: Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Natural P-Nuttier Mini Dog Biscuits, $5; petco.com
Most convenient: Beech-Nut Veggies Stage 2, Pumpkin Zucchini & Apple Baby Food
It’s interesting, but a little lick at the end of one of these pockets? Yum! Your dog will love the change in flavor and texture, and it may be easier to dispense them during training. They may be an acquired taste for some dogs, but they can be powerful rewards that keep your dog interested throughout your training sessions.
Buy now: Beech-Nut Veggies Stage 2, Pumpkin Zucchini and Apple Baby Food, $12; walmart.com
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