all natural dog treats for training
The 12 best dog treats for training of 2023
One of the easiest ways to train a pup is by rewarding them with treats. But give your pup too many big cookies in a row and they're likely to fill up and lose interest before your training session is over. Instead, you'll want to give them some of the best dog treats for training.
One of the first things I learned as a professional dog trainer was that the smaller the treat and the more your dog loves the flavor, the more they'll be willing to work for another. Dr. Andrew Moffatt, a veterinarian and CEO of VetnCare, agrees. Training treats work best when they are "small, soft, and highly desirable to your pet," he says.
Following Moffat's advice, we rounded up the best dog treats to give your pup during training. These treats make it easy to teach new skills and reward positive behaviors. From the best organic dog treats to a lickable trainer favorite, these are the 12 best dog training treats.
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Soft, chewy Little-Jacs treats are ideal for dogs of all sizes and contain only 3 calories each.
Zukes Minis are soft, low-calorie treats that hold the attention of most dogs during training.
These training treats have omega fatty acids and yeast to support the heart, joints, and immune system.
Full Moon's sustainably sourced training treats are certified organic and only 2.5 calories each.
Bite-sized Sweet Potato Little Stars have just 1 calorie a piece and wont crumble in your pocket.
Trainers love to cut this dog food roll into delicious mini treats pups love.
Even picky dogs go wild for Gerber baby food. A quick lick from the jar is all the reward they need.
Merricks puppy kibble with chicken is a great training treat for young pups.
Fill a Kong toy with Wellness Lamb and Beef Stew and freeze it for a long-lasting training treat.
Fruitables Skinny Minis are high in fiber, easy to digest, and have only 3 calories each.
Despite their crunch, these treats can be eaten quickly enough to keep your training from stalling out.
Bocces Bakery treats are made from locally sourced ingredients in the US and are 4 calories each.
FAQs
Is it good to train dogs with treats?
Yes! Rewards are an important part of positive-reinforcement dog training, which is a humane, rewards-based approach to teaching a dog. Most dogs will work for treats, but rewards can also include playing tug or fetch with the best dog toys and giving physical affection. They are a convenient way to let a dog know they did something you like.
What makes a good dog training treat?
"Training treats need to be small and easy to handle and swallow," says Moffatt. "If your pet has to sit down and chew the treat for 30 seconds, it will distract from your training effort." He recommends going for soft treats in flavors that your dog really loves.
How many training treats can I give my dog a day?
Because they are often high in calories and seldom meet nutritional requirements for a well-balanced diet, Moffatt recommends using treats sparingly. "The best method is to remove a small handful of kibble from the pet's daily ration and use it throughout the day as treats," he said. "This way you don't add to the pet's daily calorie allowance." Our guide to the best dog food has plenty of veterinarian-approved kibble recommendations.
What treats can I give my puppy when training?
Puppies can eat the same treats as adult dogs. However, Moffatt recommends avoiding hard options like bully sticks and pig ears. "They can fracture teeth and cause obstructions if swallowed in large fragments," she says.
What are good treats for crate training?
When training a dog to be comfortable inside of a crate, a long-lasting food puzzle toy, like theKong Classic, can help them form positive associations with the space. However, be sure to watch out for the extra calories that certain foods may contain. Putting a portion of your dog's daily dry or wet food in the toy will help keep their daily calorie requirements on target.
What dog treats do vets recommend?
Instead of referring his clients to specific brands, Moffat recommends choosing sustainably sourced options that are manufactured in the United States. Stick to softer treats and avoid using hard, long-lasting chews like bully sticks and pigs ears. Treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's diet overall.
5 Natural Training Treats for Dogs to Instantly Improve Recall Skills
Leading dog trainers recommend that small training treats are a key factor in keeping a training session moving properly and effectively.
Small pieces of treats are essential as they dont distract your dog for too long while chewing. This leads to more focus time on the training at hand.
Importantly, the correct training treats will also prevent your dog from getting full, thus keeping them more motivated for the tasty smelling food in your hand.
What are the best training treats for dogs?
There are loads of different training treats available in pet stores and online. Some freeze dried, dehydrated, processed, unprocessed. Heck, some people even use kibble!
We prefer to offer our dogs training treats which contain the least amount of processing, and the highest nutrient content.
If you can get training treats that are both super healthy and highly effective, then why not?
After asking over 500 customers, weve come up with this short list cheat sheet of the most effective natural training treats for your dog.
Dogs come running from the opposite end of the dog park when a pack of Organic Beef Bites gets opened.
Theyre rather stinky, but dogs totally love them, and it shows!
Organic Beef Bites are not cooked or even dehydrated with heat. Theyre slow dried in a climate-controlled environment over 10 days, completely without salt, flavourings, or preservatives.
Individual pieces are approximately the size of your thumb nail and consumed in about 2 seconds.
Often referred to as our small fishies, Hardy Heads make a great training treat for dogs that prefer seafood over beef.
Hardy Heads are whole small fish high in healthy nutrients like Omega-3, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D. Read more about the health benefits of Omega-3 for dogs here.
Individual pieces are approximately 3-5 centimetres each and consumed in about 4 seconds.
Dehydrated Chicken breast is a favourite all rounder, especially for dogs that are picky easters.
Chicken Breast is high in protein and super low in fat making it a suitable training treats for all dogs, even those on a low-fat diet.
While individual pieces of Chicken Breast may be larger, they can very easily be snapped into smaller pieces suitable for training dogs.
We often hear that our Salmon Skin Strips are used as the ultimate high value reward. For dogs, they must be packed with that much irresistible flavour!
Salmon Skin is suuuuper high in those healthy Omega-3 oils. Theres so much that you can see them in the pack.
While individual sheets of Salmon Skin are larger, they can easily be cut up into smaller pieces with a pair of scissors making then suitable for training dogs (a little messy if you ask us, but nonetheless dog owners seem to like this option still).
The classic training treat weve had since the beginning of launching Oh My Paws. Dehydrated Beef Liver is also a little bit stinky, but it works oh so well!
Beef Liver is a harder, crunchier treat which is high in protein and loaded with flavour.
Individual pieces range in size from the size of your thumbnail to the palm of your hand. However, Beef Liver is so easy to snap into smaller training sized pieces that you could it while you dog runs to you from the puddle of mud theyve just rolled in.
Exclusive Training Treats Combo Special
Make sure you check out our full range of natural training treats for dogs. All treats are 100% Australian Sourced, Made, and Owned (certified).
As a special thank you for reading this article were also offering a super 20% off your first training treats combo pack. Simply subscribe to our monthly newsletter below, and get your exclusive discount code emailed directly right away!
The seven best healthy dog treats, according to a vet
Does your dog need treats?
Fortunately, many dog treats are nutritious, so dog treats can be part of a balanced diet for your pup. Dog treats are especially helpful when you are training your dog or rewarding them for good behavior. If your dog has food allergies, youll need to pay close attention to treat ingredients, and dogs that are overweight or with certain medical conditions should only follow a veterinarian-recommended diet and may not be allowed to have treats.
Choosing healthy treats for your doggie
When your best friend learns a new trick or behaves really well at the dog park, its tempting to reach for the first treats you can find to praise them. But not all treats are a good reward for good behavior. Unfortunately, some treats may have questionable ingredients or high-calorie counts that can be detrimental to your pups health. To keep your pup healthy and following good nutrition, opt for healthy treats instead.
What to look for in healthy dog treats
If youre ready to start shopping for healthy dog treats for your best friend, there are several things to keep in mind. Take a close look at labels to evaluate the ingredients and calories, but also keep things like size and texture in mind.
Ingredients. One of the most important things to look for in healthy treats is the ingredients list. Stick to treats with an ingredients list of whole, natural foods. Many treats include healthy ingredients like meat, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Our vets also recommend treats with fish or salmon, because omega-3 fatty acids can help with brain and eye development in puppies or boost cognitive function in older dogs.
Brand. Some brands offer higher quality dog treats than others. Our veterinary team trusts brands like Purina Pro Plan, Science Diet/Hills, and Royal Canin. They all avoid cross-contamination between foods and treats during manufacturing.
Calories. Generally, treats should be just that treats! Treats should make up less than 10% of your dogs daily calories, so read the label for the calorie amount per treat and stick to the correct portion sizes.
Texture. You want to choose treats that arent too hard, otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard. Hard treats are difficult for a dog to bite into, so they might only be able to bite them into large pieces, which are hard to swallow. Too-hard treats can also fracture your dogs teeth.
Size. Treats can be a choking hazard if they are too large or too small for your dog. Opt for small treats for puppies or small dogs. Large dogs may enjoy large treats, but also make sure to keep an eye out. Even large dogs can choke on treats that are too big.
Labels. Treats labeled as all-natural can be misleading, as the treats may still be highly processed.
If your dog is overweight or has dietary restrictions, youll need to scrutinize the treat labels very carefully.
Types of dog treats to avoid
There are many popular treats out there that arent good for any dogs. Here are some common treats to stay away from.
Rawhides. Rawhides are inexpensive treats with little nutritional value. Some rawhides are treated with toxins like formaldehyde and bleach. They also pose a huge choking risk as they break down into pieces over time. However, some rawhide-like products, such as Purina Pro Plan Dental Chewz, are VOHC-approved and safe for consumption.
Animal bones. Sure, bones are all-natural but they can be covered in pathogens, such as E. Coli and salmonella. Some people may suggest boiling the bones to sanitize them, but this process actually makes the bones brittle and more likely to splinter. This is a choking hazard for dogs, and splinters and sharp pieces can puncture the intestines.
Jerky-type treats. Since 2007, the FDA has received reports of sick pets after consuming jerky pet treats. Learn more about their ongoing investigationTrusted SourceU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Government agency.Go to source and how theyre testing treats to determine why some jerky treats are making pets sick. While these cases are rare, we recommend avoiding jerky-type treats especially with so many other great options on the market.
Treats with additives. We like treats that dont contain lots of additives or artificial colors. Some additives, such as Red#3, used for coloring or preservatives have been linked to cancer in animalsTrusted SourcePubMed CentralArchive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature.Go to source.
Toxic human food. While dogs may love chicken and sweet potatoes as we do, there are many foods that humans eat that are not suitable for dogs. While you treat yourself with chocolate, you cant do the same for your pup, because the chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rates in dogs. Instead, you can give your dog human food treats like some fresh fruits and vegetables (avoid grapes and items with seeds or pits), like watermelon, broccoli, green beans, bananas, or carrots.
Can you make DIY treats at home?
Its easy to make DIY dog treats at home, and you might be surprised to find your mouth watering as the smell of our favorite peanut butter and oatmeal cookies (yes, these really are for your pup!) fills your kitchen. Making treats at home means you can customize the ingredients based on your dogs dietary needs and flavor preferences. Try one of our tried-and-true all-natural pet treat recipes for your best friend.
