I still remember the days when getting my dog to obey me was like talking to a tree. The tree just stood still, unmoved by my pleas. That is until I discovered that a good treat would do the trick!
The right dog training treat can aid in your efforts toward positive reinforcement. There are many dog treats on the market for you and your pup to choose from.
In this blog post, I share with you a few of the top-rated training treats for dogs available on the online market. These are the ones I tried that championed my training sessions.
AT A GLANCE (SEE ON AMAZON):
- Our Top Pick: Amazon Brand - Wag Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
- Runner Up: Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Training Dog Treats
- Also Great: Fruitable - Low Calorie Training Treats
- Also Great: Stewart Freeze Dried Dog Treats
- Also Great: PureBites Chicken Breast for Dogs
How to Use Dog Treats in Training
Training sessions are tedious, and pet parents often get frustrated in teaching independent and uncooperative dogs. Forget pleading with them; it simply does not work. Punishment should also be avoided as it can result in aggressive behavior.
As with many dog owners, I discovered that positive reinforcement is the most effective way of teaching my pup. The key to this training method is the proper use of rewards such as dog treats. A training treat helps reinforce positive behaviors you hope to see from your pups, as they understand that they get a treat for positive behaviors.
When your dog exhibits the desired behavior, you immediately reward your pup with positive praise and a treat. Although it is possible to use only verbal praise for training, using treats often helps the process faster and more effectively.
You must reward your dog immediately with a treat after they do what you want. This helps send your pup a clear signal that this behavior is good.
When you first begin training, you will want to give your dog a treat each time. However, over time, you can use treats more sparingly to encourage your dog to continue displaying desired behaviors.
Choosing the Right Treat for Your Dog
Finding the perfect treat that would work best for your pup could be a challenge of its own.
Finding the right treat for your pup can be tricky. Not all treats are the same and would be good for your dog. And there are treats that you should also avoid to ensure that your dog stays healthy.
Most dog owners recommend soft chew treats. But pet experts opined that it all depends on what your dog likes best, as no two dogs are equal and have the same preferences.
As for me, I took particular notice of what flavors my dog likes best. I even tried giving dog jerkies but he paid little interest. He particularly loves chicken and vegetable-flavored treats.
Getting small treats for your dogs is also recommended. They are easier to consume, and you can immediately go back to training again.
Things to Consider When Buying Treats for Training
As you first begin to use treats in the training process, your dog will likely be eating several treats each day. If this is the case, you may want to adjust their daily food intake accordingly. You do not want your pup to gain too much weight from the training process.
In choosing a treat for your puppy or dog, you should consider their health conditions. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs or older dogs. Small dogs would have different calorie intake requirements than large dogs. All these should be taken into account.
Also, when your dog has the tendency to gain weight, choosing low-calorie treats would be your best option. Some dogs also suffer from food allergies that would make choosing the right training treats a tricky one. Treat options for these sensitive dogs are grain-free treats.
Be aware that some dog treats have a lot of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives that may not be healthy for your dog. Checking the ingredients list is one way to ensure that it only contains all-natural ingredients and has all the essential vitamins that your pup needs.
The majority of dogs are food-motivated and will likely respond to most treats. However, it will help keep your dog engaged in the process of using a variety of treats. This will help them always get excited when they know a treat will follow.
The Best Dog Treats for Training
Local pet stores such as PetsMart and Petco sell large varieties of dog treats. You can also choose from a large selection through online retailers such as Amazon.com. Dog training treats can also be found at most grocery stores and even some department stores and boutiques.
Our Top Pick
- If you like Stella & Chewy Single Ingredient Raw Freeze-Dried Treats, we invite you to try Wag
- Made with 100% real beef liver
- Gently freeze-dried to preserve freshness and flavor
- Sourced from Canada, freeze-dried in the USA
Runner Up
- Go ahead, look at our ingredients; made with only 1 simple human grade ingredient: 100% pure chicken breast; proudly sourced and freeze dried RAW in the USA; a great high-value treat, topper, or training aid for your dog
- Made fresh & pure, using a delicate freeze drying process that helps preserve fresh RAW whole food; with 2.6lb of RAW chicken breast and 450 treats per 11.6oz bag, our bags are packed with more protein and nutrients
- Dogs love the taste of PureBites! 100% natural, high in protein, low in calories (only 3 calories per average treat) and nothing added like colors, fillers, or sweeteners
- PureBites are ideal for dogs with diabetes, allergies, other health issues, or dogs that are on a restricted diet; limited ingredient treats or toppers allow pet parents the peace of mind knowing exactly what their furry loved ones are eating...
Also Great
- Single Ingredient Treats: Made from one simple ingredient: 100% pure beef liver; these freeze-dried dog treats are gluten-free, grain-free and are packed with protein, vitamin D, and well-balanced amino acids to support strong muscles
- A healthier option: Freeze-drying preserves the natural nutrients in the treats, making for lightweight, easily-stored treats
- Nutrient-rich: Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, ensuring your best friend has a healthy coat and skin
- Versatile use: These multi use dog training treats can also serve as a meal topper - just sprinkle the leftover morsels onto their food once you reach the end of the tub
Also Great
- 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
- MEATY TRAINING TREATS: For small, medium, or large dogs that love a meaty 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
Also Great
- IRRESISTABLE TASTE - Mmmm, muffins! This mouthwatering recipe is like home-baked goodies in a three-calorie bite
- DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY DOG TREATS - Made with superfoods, our oven-baked dog biscuits are both healthy AND delicious
- ONLY 3 CALORIES PER TREAT - Skinny in Calories. Our treats are made with the health-conscious pet parent in mind, with reduced calories so you can keep treating your pet guilt free
- SMELL THE FRUITABLES DIFFERENCE - Our dog treats smell great. Seriously, open a bag and smell the difference! You’ll be tempted to try one yourself
Homemade Dog Treats and Other Types of Training Treats
Several household foods work well in training your dog as well. These may be especially useful at the beginning of your training.
Human food treats often carry a strong smell to entice your pup to start engaging in the training process. As with any extra treats, be sure to monitor the amount of food your dog is taking in each day to ensure they are not overeating.
Meat, Eggs
Real chicken or real meat can all be made into training treats. Boil these meats and cut them into smaller pieces.
Eggs are one high-protein treat that your pup will love. This treat also provides your pup with essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, and folate. If you decide to treat your dog with an egg, be sure it is either boiled, scrambled, or poached. This type of treat may be difficult to carry for leash training but may work great for training within the house.
Vegetables, Fruits
Tiny pieces or small slices of fruits and vegetables are also effective motivational treats for your puppies or dogs to train harder. Sweet potato cubes, carrot slices, apple bits, and other fruits and vegetables can all be used to encourage your pups to train better.
Peanut Butter, Cheese
Peanut butter is also a good option. Gently roll peanut butter into pea-sized balls and freeze. These freeze-dried treats are
Cheese is another favorite of many dogs. Carrying small bits of cheese from a cheese stick or block is a small, yummy treat that may motivate a more reluctant pup at the start of training.
Make Your Own
In addition to store-bought and human food treats, you may even decide to make your own treats. Many homemade dog treats do not have as long of a shelf life as store-bought treats. However, these treats may also be a good motivator at the start of training your pup.
Many of the recipes can be found by searching “DIY dog treats” on the internet. Many recipes, such as this one, feature items you likely have in your kitchen. These ingredients often include peanut butter, pumpkin, and eggs. Some recipes also feature items such as oats or bananas.
Happy Training
Using treats in the process of training your dog will help motivate your pup to work for the delicious reward. Most training treats are small in size and low in calories, so you can hand them out freely during training.
Be sure to try a variety of treats to see which ones your pup loves best. With all areas of training, remain patient and positive and enjoy the bonding experience with your pet.