How do you choose the right training treats? With so many options at pet stores—ranging from crunchy biscuits to soft, chewy bites—it can feel overwhelming. This guide is here to help you select the best puppy training treats for your furry friend, ensuring every training session is fun, effective, and rewarding.

Why Are Training Treats Important?

Training treats play a vital role in shaping your puppy’s behavior and building a strong bond between you and your furry friend. Here are some reasons why training treats are important and the benefits they bring:

Positive Reinforcement: Puppies learn best through positive reinforcement. Rewarding desired behaviors with treats helps them associate those actions with something enjoyable. This encourages them to repeat good behaviors, making the training process more effective and rewarding.

Faster Learning: Treats provide immediate feedback, which is crucial during training sessions. This instant reward helps your puppy understand exactly which behavior earned the treat, speeding up the learning process and reducing confusion.

Strengthened Bond: Training with treats fosters trust and strengthens the bond between you and your puppy. It reinforces a relationship based on mutual understanding, love, and respect, creating a happy and cooperative dynamic.

Focus and Motivation: Puppies are easily distracted, but the promise of a tasty treat can grab and maintain their attention. High-value treats serve as an excellent motivator, keeping your puppy engaged and eager to participate in training activities.

Socialization and Confidence: Using treats during exposure to new environments, people, or other animals helps your puppy feel more comfortable and confident. Treats create positive associations, making socialization experiences enjoyable and less intimidating.

Building Good Habits: Early use of training treats helps establish a foundation of good behavior. By rewarding your puppy for things like sitting, staying, or walking calmly on a leash, you instill habits that will serve well throughout their life.

Training treats are more than just snacks; they are essential tools in your puppy’s development. When used thoughtfully, they can make the training experience effective, fun, and rewarding for pet and owner alike.

Qualities of the Best Puppy Training Treats

Not just any dog food or snack will do when it comes to training treats. To make the most out of your training time, focus on treats that check these important boxes:

Size Matters

Training treats should be tiny treats that your pup can eat quickly without losing focus. Look for options that are about the size of a pea—perfectly sized for small pups and large dogs alike. Breaking up larger treats, like freeze-dried chicken breasts, into bite-sized pieces is another great option.

Soft and Easy to Chew

During training, you’ll want a treat that can be eaten quickly. Soft treats or small chewy treats are ideal because they don’t require your dog to spend time crunching. This keeps the momentum of your training session moving.

Highly Palatable and Irresistible

Some dogs are pickier than others, but generally, dogs are more motivated by high-value treats—those that are highly flavorful and irresistible. Think dried chicken, stinky treats, or even a bit of cream cheese as a special reward.

Low in Calories

Since training sessions often involve giving your pup multiple treats as rewards, it’s crucial to opt for low-calorie treats. This ensures your puppy stays healthy while keeping their balanced diet intact. Feeding too many high-calorie snacks could lead to weight gain over time.

Gentle on Sensitive Tummies

For puppies with sensitive tummies, steer clear of treats with artificial flavors or processed ingredients that might cause stomach upsets. Instead, look for treats made with natural ingredients like real chicken or sweet potato.

Different Types of Training Treats to Consider

Choosing the right training treats for your puppy is essential to maximize the effectiveness of your sessions. Below are some common types of training treats, each suited to different needs and training goals:

Soft and Chewy Treats

These treats are perfect for training sessions because they are easy for your puppy to chew and consume quickly. Soft treats keep the momentum of training going by minimizing distraction or delay. They often come in small bite-sized pieces, making them ideal for repetitive rewards.

Freeze-Dried Treats

Freeze-dried treats are lightweight, portable, and packed with flavor, making them highly appealing to puppies. They are typically made from single-ingredient proteins like chicken or beef, offering a healthy option for motivation without unnecessary additives.

Crunchy Treats

Hard, biscuit-style treats can work well for less frequent rewards or to mark significant progress during a training session. However, their crunchier texture might slow down the pace, so they are better suited for low-pressure or play-based training activities.

High-Value Treats

High-value treats are especially tasty options like small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or specially formulated premium dog treats. These are best reserved for challenging behaviors, distractions, or new skills your puppy is learning. The novelty and flavor of high-value treats can quickly grab your puppy’s focus.

Healthy Dog Training Treats

Many owners prefer natural or single-ingredient treats, such as small pieces of fruits (like apples) or vegetables (like carrots). These can be a healthier alternative, especially for puppies with sensitivities or dietary requirements.

Homemade Treats

For those who prefer more control over ingredients, homemade treats offer a customizable way to provide your puppy with healthy rewards. Recipes often include dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, oats, or pumpkin for a personal and nutritious option.

Each type of treat serves a unique purpose and can be integrated strategically into your training routine. By offering a variety of treats and observing your puppy’s preferences, you can find the perfect balance to keep training both effective and enjoyable.

Top Dog Training Treats

When it comes to training your puppy, having the right treats can make all the difference. Here’s a list of six highly-recommended training treats, along with trusted brands and links to where you can purchase them:

• Zuke’s Mini Naturals: These small, soft treats are perfect for training sessions, as they’re easy to chew and come in a variety of flavors like chicken and peanut butter. Buy Zuke’s Mini Naturals here
• Wellness Soft Puppy Bites: Specifically designed for puppies, these soft treats are packed with delicious flavors like lamb and salmon, making them an excellent high-value option. Buy Wellness Soft Puppy Bites here
• Blue Buffalo Blue Bits: Made with real meat as the first ingredient, these soft-moist treats are fortified with DHA for healthy brain development, ideal for growing puppies. Buy Blue Buffalo Blue Bits here
• Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats: These soft, bite-sized treats are made with fresh chicken liver and come in a resealable bag for maximum convenience. Buy Bil-Jac Little Jacs here
• Natural Balance Mini Rewards: At only five calories per treat, these small, tasty bites are made with quality ingredients like chicken, duck, or salmon, perfect for training sessions. Buy Natural Balance Mini Rewards here
• Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Sticks: Although pricier, these jerky sticks are popular for their high-quality ingredients and great flavor. You can easily break them into smaller pieces for training purposes. Buy Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Sticks here

By trying out these top treats, you’re sure to find one that your puppy loves, helping make training a rewarding experience for both of you.

Tips for Using Treats Effectively in Training

When you’re armed with the right treats, your training becomes more fun for both you and your pup. Here are some expert tips from a certified professional dog trainer to get the best results:

• Mix It Up: Using delicious treats keeps things exciting for your dog. For instance, rotate between freeze-dried liver, crunchy bites, and soft treats to maintain their motivation.
• Consider Treat Value: Not all behaviors are created equal. Use high-value treats for crucial commands like “come,” and reserve low-value treats for simpler tasks.
• Keep Your Food Treats Ready: Train smarter, not harder! Use a treat bag or treat pouch to keep your treats within easy reach. This allows you to reward your dog immediately after they perform the desired behavior.
• Track Portions: While tasty rewards are a necessary part of training, it’s essential to monitor how many training treats your dog is consuming. Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pup’s daily caloric intake to ensure a balanced diet.
• Pair Treats with Verbal Praise: Treats and praise go hand in hand. Pair treats with enthusiastic reinforcement like “Good job, buddy!” to create a strong positive association between the behavior and the reward.
• Keep Sessions Short: Training is most effective when sessions are short and fun. Stick to about 5-10 minutes per session, using tiny treats to reward progress in small increments. This prevents your puppy from losing focus (or getting full!).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, some common pitfalls can hinder your puppy’s learning:

• Relying Only on Treats – Over time, combine food rewards with verbal praise or playtime (like a game with their favorite tennis ball) to keep their motivation diverse.
• Overfeeding – Too many treats—and calories—can derail your dog’s diet. Always factor them into their daily food plan.
• Using the Same Treat Every Time – A value treat today might turn into a less exciting option tomorrow. Keep a variety of treats on hand.

Snouts and Stouts Indoor Dog Park and Bar

Snouts and Stouts Indoor Dog Park and Bar is the perfect destination for dog owners who love to spend quality time with their furry friends.

This unique venue combines a safe, spacious environment for dogs to play and socialize with a relaxed area for their owners to unwind. One of the standout features of Snouts and Stouts is the opportunity it provides for DIY dog training.

With its open layout and specially designed training-friendly spaces, you can practice commands, work on agility, or teach your pup fun new tricks at your own pace. Plus, the park’s lively and welcoming atmosphere makes every visit an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. Whether you’re training, playing, or simply bonding, Snouts and Stouts ensures every moment is filled with FUN!

Build Better Training Sessions with the Best Treats

Training your dog isn’t just about teaching commands—it’s about building trust, respect, and a deeper connection with your furry companion. The right dog training treats act as a bridge to better communication, helping you shape your adorable pup into the best-behaved dog they can be.

Remember, whether it’s stinky treats for high-value rewards or soft treats for quick, easy chewing, finding what your dog finds irresistible is key. And don’t forget to stash a treat pouch nearby—the perfect training session is just a few snacks away.

What treat does your dog love the most? Share your favorites with the community and help discover new options for happy, wagging tails everywhere!