Dog training is an essential part of owning a dog. And, just like with anything else in life, you get out what you put in. If you want your dog to be well-behaved, then you need to put in the time and effort to train them.
And part of that training is rewarding your pup for good behavior. That’s where training treats come in. Training treats are small pieces of food that you give to your dog as a reward for good behavior.
There are a lot of different training treats on the market. And it can be hard to decide which ones are best for your pup. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best training dog treats!
Table of contents
What are good training dog treats?
Before we get into the best treats for training your dog, it’s important to understand what qualities make a good treat. In general, you’ll want to look for something that is:
The smaller the better
Dog training requires repetitive actions and positive reinforcement. That means you’ll be giving your dog a lot of treats! As a result, it’s best to choose something small that won’t fill them up too quickly.
Easy to chew and digest
Biscuits or other crunchy treats take a lot of time to eat, which can be distracting during training. You’ll want to look for something softer that they can eat quickly so they can get back to the task at hand.
Easy to carry
Carrying a large bag of treats can be cumbersome, so it’s best to choose something easy to grab a handful of. This way, you can quickly reach into your pocket and pull out a few treats without having to stop and search through a large bag.
Quick tip: A treat pouch is a great investment for carrying your dog’s treats while on walks or during training sessions!
Highly motivating
The best training treats are those that your dog really loves. They should be something that your pup would do just about anything for! This could be a special type of treat, a food they don’t usually get, or something with a strong smell.
What are bad training dog treats?
After seeing what qualities make a good treat, you might be wondering what kinds of treats you should avoid. In general, you’ll want to stay away from anything that is too difficult to chew or digest, highly caloric, or not very motivating.
If you’re unsure whether a treat is good or bad for training, then choose something from our list of good training dog treats below!
What are the best training dog treats?
Now that you know what to look for in a treat, it’s time to choose the best ones for your pup! Here are five of our favorite training treats for dogs
Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs
In our opinion, the best training dog treats are Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs. We love these treats because they are perfect for training sessions as they are small and easy to carry around. Best of all, dog trainers use these to speed up the learning curve!
They are made from real pork liver and are healthy and nutritious. They are also low-calorie, which is important if you’re using them for multiple training sessions per day.
Overall, we think these are the best training dog treats on the market. If you’re looking for something small, easy to carry, and that will help your dog learn quickly, then these are the treats for you!
What we like the most: These treats are perfect for training sessions as they are small and easy to carry around. Plus, they help dogs learn quickly!
- Easy to carry in your pocket
- Speeds up learning curve
- Made with real pork liver
- Low-calorie
- Made in the USA
- Picky eaters may not like them
Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats
Our second pick is Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Dog Treats. These treats are perfect for training because they’re small, easy to chew, and are only 3 calories a piece. They’re also very motivating, as dogs love the taste and smell. Plus, they’re made in the USA from high-quality ingredients.
Overall, we think these are the second-best training dog treats on the market. If you’re looking for something nutritious, easy to chew, and will motivate your dog, then these are the treats for you!
What we like the most: These treats mark all the boxes for what makes a good training dog treat.
- Available in several different flavors
- They’re quite small, making them ideal for training sessions
- They’re made in the USA from nutritious ingredients
- They may cause stomach upset for some dogs
Wag Training Treats for Dogs
Looking for affordable treats? Amazon’s wag brand has you covered! These training treats are chicken-flavored and made in the USA. While they don’t have any frills, they get the job done without breaking the bank. And at only 1 calorie each, you can feel good about rewarding your pup often!
What we like the most: The price! These affordable treats are perfect for budget-minded dog owners.
- Affordable
- Made in the USA
- Only 1 calorie each
- Not as motivating as some other treats
Blue Buffalo Training Dog Treats Variety Pack
If you have a picky eater, then you’ll want to check out Blue Buffalo’s variety pack. The variety pack comes in 4 different flavors beef, salmon, turkey, and chicken. You can try each flavor to see which one your dog likes best. When your dog likes a particular flavor you can buy that specific flavor in a larger quantity.
The best part about Blue Buffalo’s treats is that they use real meat as the first ingredient. This makes them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior! These treats are also grain-free and don’t contain any chicken by-product meals. The best part? They contain DHA which helps support cognitive development, perfect for training!
What we like the most: The variety pack is perfect for picky eaters! It also contains DHA to help support cognitive development.
- Comes in 4 different flavors
- Uses real meat as the first ingredient
- Grain-free and doesn't contain any chicken by-product meals
- A bit more expensive
Pupford Store freeze-dried training treats
Last but certainly not least on our list of best training dog treats is Pupford’s freeze-dried training treats. As you may have read by the name, these treats are freeze-dried which means that they maintain all of their nutrients and flavor. They are also made with simple, natural ingredients which makes them a healthy option for your pup.
They also mark the checkboxes for good training treats. They are small, easily consumable, and come in a variety of flavors to keep your pup’s attention. They are also grain-free and made with real meat as the first ingredient.
So, if you care about quality ingredients, flavor, and value, then Pupford’s freeze-dried training treats are the best option for you and your pup.
What we like the most: These treats are freeze-dried which means that they are full of nutrients and flavor. They are also compact making them perfect for training.
- Made with simple, natural ingredients
- Freeze-dried to maintain nutrients and flavor
- Small and easily consumable
- They may cause stomach upset for some dogs
Final thoughts – best training dog treats
We hope our list of best training dog treats has helped you find the perfect option for your pup. All of the treats on our list are great options, but if we had to choose just one, our top pick would be Pet Botanics Training Rewards Treats for Dogs.
They are used by dog trainers around the world and are made with high-quality ingredients. And at only 3 calories per treat, you can feel good about rewarding your pup often! Thanks for reading and good luck with training!
