Pet Gear & Apparel Training & Behavior Products The 10 Best Dog Training Treats, According to a Professional Dog Trainer Plus, trainer tips on how to choose the best treats for your dog. By Ali Smith Ali Smith Ali Smith is an award-winning trainer certified through the United Kingdom-based Institute of Modern Dog Trainers. She loves all things dog, particularly reactive dogs, puppies, and all things dog gear. She's dog mum to Shelby & Lucy the coonhounds and Indie, her formerly reactive German Shepherd that inspired her to become a trainer. Daily Paws' Editorial Guidelines Published on February 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: fotografixx / Getty Training is an essential part of being a pet parent, and positive reinforcement (giving your dog a positive stimulus when they perform a desirable behavior) is the best way to train your dog while building your bond. Treats are one of the best and easiest ways to reward your dog, but there are some things to consider while finding the best dog training treats for your pup. As a professional dog trainer, these are my suggestions on how to find the perfect treats to use while training your dog, plus some of my favorite options so you can maximize your training sessions. What is a Marker in Training? And Why You Probably Want to Use One What Makes a Good Dog Training Treat? It might take some trial and error to learn what flavors your dog loves, but in general, treats should be: Small in size for quick, easy chewingLow calorie to keep your pup healthySoft and easy to eat without the risk of chokingPortableHigh value so your dog wants to earn themSmelly! What's smelly to us is usually extra-delicious for your pup If you get to the bottom of your treat bag, you can sub in small pieces of cheese or bite-sized pieces of cooked meats like chicken, turkey, or ground beef. Don't forget to rotate the treats you give your pup so they don't get bored, and offer something super high-value when they nail an especially hard cue (like performing a flawless recall in a busy area, maybe?). What To Avoid in Dog Training Treats The goal for a training treat is that it can be quickly delivered, tasted, and swallowed so the training session can continue and we can keep our dog's focus. So, it's best to avoid: Treats that are too largeTreats that will take too long to eatDry biscuits or anything that could be a choking hazard Remember, Your Dog Decides the Reinforcer This is trainer talk for saying that your dog is the one that decides what their reward is, not you. You may find that toys are more effective than treats, you may need to play a game with the food, or you might find that a dog cookie is much more effective than real meat (that's the case with my boy). So while these are my favorite dog training treats, remember 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. Lamb Green Tripe Courtesy og Amazon Buy Now Tripe tends to be very smelly, so these treats might not be the best smelling to you and me. If you have a dog who is nose oriented (think beagle), they'll probably find these treats delicious, which will definitely help with training. Shop 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 Courtesy of Chewy Buy Now I separate these with a big knife to bring them down to smaller portions that are quicker to eat. But I would only recommend these for larger dog breeds, because they can chew the treats faster than a small breed, allowing you to keep training. It gives a slightly different texture, and they're smell free! Shop now: Waggin' Train Chicken Jerky Tenders Dog Treats, $17; chewy.com Best for Small Dogs: Full Moon Duck Training Grain-Free Dog Treats Courtesy of Chewy Buy Now The Daily Paws commerce editor (and her dogs!) love these training treats. They're the perfect size to stuff in your pockets or treat pouch without taking up too much room (or leaving a trail of crumbs behind). They're small enough and chewy enough for pups to eat quickly without choking (and less than three calories each). Shop now: Full Moon Duck Training Grain-Free Dog Treats, $7; chewy.com Best for Puppies: Zuke's Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats Salmon & Chickpea Courtesy of Amazon Buy Now It's always good to have a variety of flavor options on hand, including fish! These are some of the best puppy training treats you can grab: They're small, they're valuable, and they're easy to eat even for a teething puppy or a senior dog! Shop now: Zuke's Puppy Naturals Training Dog Treats Salmon & Chickpea, $6; chewy.com Best for Sensitive Stomachs: 360 Pet Nutrition Freeze-Dried Beef Liver Courtesy of Amazon Buy Now Liver is one of the tastiest things for dogs, and as a consequence, these treats tend to be highly prized. Made of just one ingredient, these treats can be good for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those who are intolerant to chicken. Try interspersing these with your pup's other treats to make sure your pup doesn't get too much vitamin A (liver is a great source of vitamin A, but we don't want to have too much!). Shop now: 360 Pet Nutrition Freeze-Dried Beef Liver, $17; amazon.com Best High-Value: Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Treats Courtesy of Chewy Buy Now Now, these aren't for the faint of heart, as they do look like exactly what they are: freeze-dried chicken hearts. These treats are well-loved by my and my clients' dogs—rich and tasty, they will encourage your dog to work. You can also section these up into multiple pieces to make them last longer. Shop now: Vital Essentials Chicken Hearts Freeze-Dried Raw Treats, $9; chewy.com Best Low-Calorie: Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Sweet Potato Treats Courtesy of Amazon Buy Now At less than one calorie per treat, you can feel good about giving these freeze-dried sweet potato treats during a training session or while teaching a new skill. These are also the perfect sized treats and can be a good option for dogs who struggle with allergies. Show now: Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Sweet Potato Treats, $16; amazon.com Best Chewy: Fruitables Skinny Minis Bison Soft & Chewy Dog Treats Courtesy of Petco Buy Now These small treats are a little more chewy than some of the crunchy ones listed here. If you have a dog that struggles with their teeth, these can be a wonderful, tasty alternative. Shop now: Fruitables Skinny Minis Bison Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, $5; petco.com Best Crunchy: Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Natural P-Nuttier Mini Dog Biscuits Courtesy of Petco Buy Now These are by far my dog Indie's favorite biscuit (some dogs just prefer biscuits over something chewy, and that's ok!). They're also nicely sized, can easily be broken up into smaller pieces, and are available from a number of stores. These are always worth having on hand. Shop 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 Courtesy of Walmart Buy Now This is an interesting one, but a small lick from the end of one of these pouches? Yum! Your dog will love the change in flavor and texture, and it can be easier to dispense these while training. They might be an acquired taste for some dogs, but they can be powerful rewards that keep your dog interested throughout your training sessions. Shop now: Beech-Nut Veggies Stage 2, Pumpkin Zucchini & Apple Baby Food, $12; walmart.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit