Training your dog is hard enough on its own without the added stress of finding a training treat that works best! Luckily, we have a round-up of the best dog training treats for pups of all shapes and sizes that’s sure to make your decision ten times easier.
Keep reading to find out more about the perfect training treats for your furry friend!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats
Budget Option:
Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats
Best Organic:
Full Moon Training Grain-Free Dog Treats
Best Overall
Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats
Our award for the overall best dog training treats goes to the Zuke’s Mini Naturals Training Treats! These treats are the perfect blend of quality and affordability with a delicious taste that your pooch will love.
Zuke’s Mini Naturals come in lots of different flavors, from peanut butter and oats to salmon or rabbit. You’ll definitely be able to find a winner for your pup even if they have food allergies or sensitivities!
In addition, these training treats are made out of top-quality ingredients and don’t contain any corn, wheat or soy. They’re chock full of all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs without sacrificing taste.
When it comes to shape and texture, Zuke’s Mini Naturals are the perfect size and softness for dogs of all ages and sizes.
These treats also fit in most treat dispensers, so you can use them whenever and wherever!
Overall, Zuke’s Mini Naturals training treats are a high-value reward that will leave your dog excited for your next training session.
Pros
- Wide flavor variety
- Super soft but sturdy
- Good size
Cons
- Harden easily if stored improperly
Budget Option
Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats
If you’re looking to save a little money, the best dog training treats for you are Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats! Pet owners on a budget don’t have to feel bad about using a handful of these delicious treats at a time.
Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats offer a solid flavor selection, and treats come in a few different meat and cheese combinations.
They’re also small, about the size of a dime, so these treats won’t pose a choking hazard even to the tiniest of dogs.
When it comes to texture, Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats hold up to their name! These training treats are crunchy but still don’t crumble or disintegrate when carrying them. They also won’t make a mess when your dogs eat them!
Charlee Bear Original Crunch Dog Treats are a great compromise in between regular kibble and a higher quality treat, especially for those looking for a simple and inexpensive option.
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not organic
- Fairly plain flavors
Best Organic Training Treats
Full Moon Training Grain-Free Dog Treats
For pet owners in search of the best dog training treats with all-organic ingredients, give Full Moon Training Grain-Free Dog Treats a try!
These treats have an impressive list of health certifications. Specifically, they’re USDA-certified organic; human grade; grain free; and contain no corn, wheat or soy. The one notable ingredient they contain is cane sugar, so be on the lookout for that if your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to it.
Full Moon Training Grain-Free Dog Treats come in chicken and duck flavors, and they have a smell that’s pleasant for both humans and dogs.
Given their high-quality ingredients list, these treats are fairly inexpensive! Plus, at only three calories per treat, your pup can have a gourmet experience without indulging too much!
These treats are soft but not too chewy, although it’s a good idea to cut them in half before giving them to smaller dogs.
Finally, Full Moon Training Grain-Free Dog Trees are easy to carry around and hold up pretty well to warmth, so they won’t melt in your hands or pocket.
Pros
- Made out of human-grade ingredients
- Low in calories
Cons
- Too big for smaller dogs to eat whole
- Contains cane sugar
Best for Small Dogs
Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats
Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats take the cake for the best dog training treats for small dogs! Your pooch is sure to be satisfied with their reward if you give them these treats.
What makes these treats so great for smaller dogs is that their size and texture is ideal for the mouths of puppies and smaller dogs.
Each treat is about the size of a pencil eraser, and they’re soft and moist, making them easy to chew.
They can fit into many enrichment toys and can cover some pills with them depending on the size of the medication, so you can use these treats for a variety of purposes!
Although the Bil-Jac Little Jacs Small Dog Training Treats are the best dog training treats for small dogs, they probably won’t make a satisfying treat for a large dog.
One minor downside is that whole wheat is on the ingredients list, so they technically contain grain if that’s an ingredient you’re trying to keep your dog away from.
Pros
- Soft
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Not satisfying for larger dogs
- Contains grain
Best for Large Dogs
Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders
Looking for the best dog treats for larger dogs? Well look no further than the Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders!
These fun and tasty treats are only made out of two ingredients, so it’s super easy to understand exactly what your dog is eating. The limited ingredients list might also make this a good fit for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Waggin’ Train Chicken Jerky Tenders are also the best dog training treats for larger dogs because they’re so cost effective! Each individual tender is easy to break into pieces, so the treats will last longer during training sessions.
A pro tip to make eating these treats a little easier for your dog: If you have a large dog and they struggle with the jerky-like texture of the treat, try dipping them in water first!
It’s important to remember that even though you can break these treats up into smaller pieces, their texture and chewiness may not make them the best option for smaller dogs and puppies.
Pros
- Simple ingredients list
- Easily breakable into pieces
Cons
- Not ideal for smaller dogs and puppies
- Texture may be tough for some dogs to swallow
Dog Training Treats Buyer’s Guide
There are a few important factors that you should consider when looking for the best dog training treats for your pooch. Specifically, the ingredients, size, and portability of training treats are all key variables to keep in mind.
Ingredients
The best dog training treats are ones that will keep your pup healthy and happy! Accordingly, you should make sure the treats you choose don’t contain any ingredients that your dog is allergic to.
Ingredients also determine the treat’s flavoring, so you should consider your pup’s likes and dislikes. For example, does your dog prefer meat-flavored treats or fruity ones?
Size
The size of your dog determines the size of the treat that’s safe for them to eat. In other words, your dog could choke on a training treat that’s too large for them to properly chew.
If you have a smaller dog, limit your search to training treats that fall on the smaller end of the spectrum.
Portability
You’ve probably thought about having training treats at home, but have you considered all the other places you’ll need to bring your training treats? Training happens on the go in the car, at the park, and on walks, too!
Because of this, the best dog training treats are easily portable and won’t crumble when you throw it in your fanny pack or tote bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many training treats should I give to my dog?
As a first-time dog trainer, you may be wondering what the ideal number of treats to give your dog per training session is. While this number can vary a little, it’s all based on the number of commands you’re teaching as well as the calorie count and nutritional value of the training treats.
One treat per successful command is generally a good standard when you’re first starting out. Eventually, you should decrease the number of training treats as your dog becomes more skilled.
Luckily even the best dog training treats are generally lower in calories than regular treats, so an extra treat here and there probably won’t pack on too many pounds.
Can puppies eat dog training treats?
If you’re starting out early training your pup, you may be looking for a training treat that you can use as they grow. Luckily, there are many great options out there that are well suited for both puppies and older dogs!However, not all the best dog training treats are the best puppy training treats, too. When evaluating whether or not a specific product is safe for your puppy, size and texture matter the most. Look for training treats that are small and not too difficult to chew. The softer the treat, the more suitable it will be for dogs of all ages.
On the other hand, some training treats are made and marketed specifically for puppies. If you’re nervous about using generic training treats for your puppy, you may want to try puppy training treats instead.
Finding the Best Dog Training Treats for Your Pup
It can be tough to find a training treat that works for both you and your dog, but we’ve got something perfect for everyone on this list!
If you enjoyed learning about the best dog training treats and want more tips and tricks about caring for your furry friend, visit our home page for lots more content!