Best training treats for puppies

A well-behaved dog is a well-trained dog. And for most dogs, their training starts early - when they’re still puppies. Training your puppy can be fun and an important way to develop your bond, but it can also be a challenge without tasty incentives. Here’s where dog treats come in! They’re key to a good puppy-training session, as puppies love to perform if there’s a munchable reward in store.

There are so many different dog treats on the market, however, not all are created equally. Treats that contain additives or sugars may even cause your pup to misbehave, the opposite of what you’re intending. So what are the most suitable treats for training your puppy? 

Let’s get into what’s what when it comes to dog treats and puppy training… 

How to figure out what treats your puppy likes

When you’re buying treats for your puppy, you’ll realise quickly that there are so many options. Different flavours, sizes, textures, types - how do you know if your pup will even like them? It’s true, puppies can be picky eaters, and there’ll be a period of trial and error as you try to work out what floats their boat. 

At first, perhaps buy a selection of treats, then experiment with which ones your puppy responds well to. Do they go tail-wagging mad for certain treats, but turn their nose up at others? Importantly, pay attention to the ones they seem to take a dislike to - these will be useless when it comes to training.

What should I look for in puppy training treats?

Though you’ll want to get your puppy all kinds of treats at first, there should be a level of quality you want to stick to. Your pup should be getting treats they not only find irresistible, but that provide nutrition, too. 

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for healthy, tasty puppy treats:

• Size. Pups have teeny mouths, and you’ll want to make sure they can eat the treat without too much effort - yet also be safe from choking. First, analyse the size and shape of the treat yourself before giving it to your pup, then watch them eat it to see whether they munch it down without trouble. The larger chew type treats aren’t always as useful when training your pup, as you’ll want to use small ones you can dispense quickly and move on without disrupting the flow of the training session. 

• Texture. Just like humans, some puppies are sensitive to textures and like their food just the way they like it. There are chewy treats, crunchy treats, creamy treats and many more. When you’re experimenting with treats for your pup, take note of which textures they seem to find most appealing - but also the time it takes them to eat it. The quicker they munch it down, the better it is for training. 

• Flavours. There are flavours galore of puppy treats, ranging from fishy favourites with prawn or salmon, meaty bites with beef, chicken or lamb, to a dog’s guilty pleasures such as chocolate (dog-safe of course), peanut butter or cheese. There are also high-reward treats such as beef jerky - which can be offered as the ultimate reward for good behaviour, as well as veggie flavoured treats that can be delicious to a dog

• Ingredients. Arguably the most important element, the ingredients in your dog treats will have a big impact on your pooch. To do the best for your puppy, you’ll want training treats to contain nutritious, tasty ingredients, be low in sugar and fats, and have no artificial additives or preservatives.

There are also specialist dog treats, such as: 

• Grain-free. Grains can be an allergy trigger for lots of pups, so a grain-free diet for dogs is becoming more and more popular. Grain-free treats for dogs (such as our tasty Pooch & Mutt options) only contain whole ingredients that are high in protein, without any grains making up the bulk. 

• Probiotics. Dog treats with probiotics have added superpowers. Probiotics are a superfood for your dog’s delicate gut microbiome, contributing to good gut health, smooth digestion, immunity and mood.

• Calming. Treats with ingredients like chamomile and hemp can help calm your dog, reducing their anxiety and allowing them to focus.

• Dental. Dental dog treats are usually crunchy to remove plaque on a puppy’s teeth. They also contain breath-freshening agents such as mint or spirulina. Dental sticks aren’t good for training, but small, bite-sized treats could work.

• Low calorie. Some dog treats are intentionally low calorie, however dog treats with healthy ingredients such as lean proteins, veggies or fruits should be naturally lower in calories, to help your pup stay fit and lean. Treats packed with high-fat content like bacon and cheese may be higher in calories. Though tasty, these should be used sparingly during training.

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Health considerations for puppy training treats

During training sessions, the number of treats you dispense to your puppy can start to tot up, making it unhealthy for pup if the treats have little nutritional value. The last thing you want is for your puppy to get hyped up on sugar, or to gain an unhealthy amount of weight when they’re still growing.

That’s why it’s so important to pick high-quality, nutritious treats that nourish a baby pooch’s delicate digestive system. Healthy treats will have them feeling calm, happy and energised - their ideal state at all times, but also ideal for training. 

As puppies' stomachs are sensitive, a good treat for puppies will also contain minimal ingredients, stripped back to only natural, whole foods and without any artificial flavours or nasty additives. Extra health boosting elements, like probiotics, are an added bonus!

Tips for using training treats effectively

So, you’re stocked up with treats your puppy goes mad for - now it’s time to use them in a training session. Offering treats as positive reinforcement helps your pup learn that they’ll be rewarded for good behaviour, until eventually, they’ll hopefully do what you ask without encouragement.

Here’s what Vet Linda has to say about rewarding your pup with treats during training:

So when using treats during training, try to remember the following:

• Consider calorie intake. As said earlier, treats can add a lot to your pup’s daily calories if you don’t monitor how many they’ve eaten. A puppy’s recommended daily calories depends on their age and breed, and treats shouldn’t make up for around 10% of that overall amount. 

• Treat immediately, be consistent. As soon as your puppy performs the desired behaviour, give them a treat immediately and use words to praise them. This means they’ll associate action with reward. Do this consistently, so they begin to understand what it takes to get a treat.

• Use higher value treats for tricky tasks. If there’s a treat you know your puppy particularly loves, use that as an incentive for more difficult tasks.

• Don’t reward fussing with treats. You may be tempted to give your pup a treat to settle them if they’re crying, being aggressive or making a fuss, but this can instil bad habits and have them crying or barking constantly. Only use treats to indicate good behaviour (like settling down, sitting, doing a trick) rather than in response to them acting up. 

• Treat for toilet training. Treats are the perfect way to set up a toilet schedule with your pup. Each time they’ve learnt to go outside rather than in the house, if they pee outside before bed and if they go all night without an accident, be sure to give them a treat as a reward.

FAQs

Now you’re ready with pocketfuls of treats, here are some final questions before you get on with training your pup…