10 Best Dog Training Treats in 2023
Searching for the right brand of doggy treats can be a very long process. How do you know what’s right for your dog? You know you want to reward them, but is feeding them bland, nutrition-lacking dog biscuits really the best option? Healthy dog treats are just as important as healthy dog meals, and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Our team has spent hours researching products to find the best dog treats for training. Read our in-depth reviews below. Learn more about our 10 point inspection checklist.
Best Dog Treats for Training
1. KarmaPets Training Treats
The KarmatPes natural doggy treats are some of the best relaxing snacks for your dog. They don’t cause unwanted drowsiness or nausea like some of the other brands of dog treats. If you’re looking for a natural stress-relieving treat for your dog, these ones are always a great option.
Feeding your dog healthy food (treats included) without loads of artificial preservatives and fillers is a fantastic way of lengthening their lifespan.
Why We Liked Them – These organic vegan dog treats don’t allow any extra chemicals or unwanted artificial preservatives in their recipe.
First 7 Ingredients
Oat Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Sunflower Oil, Deionized Water Flaxseed Meal, Vegetable Glycerine, Sunflower Lecithin, Guar Gum…
Pros:
+ Naturally organic and vegan
+ Perfect for upset or sensitive stomachs
+ Safely relaxes your dog without causing drowsiness
+ Aids heavily in calming your dog down for training
Cons:
– May not be the best for picky eaters
2. Zuke’s Mini Naturals
Zuke’s Mini Naturals healthy moist puppy training treats come with multiple healthy ingredients to keep your dog healthily energized and ready to train.
These Zuke’s Mini Naturals healthy moist training treats come with chicken, duck, peanut butter, or pork as their #1 ingredients depending on the recipe you choose. Instead of a flavorless base, Zuke’s Mini Naturals uses flavorful protein.
Why We Like Them – Using real protein as the first ingredient in your dog treats is an excellent choice. Zuke’s Mini Naturals healthy moist training treats are some of our favorite training treats and allow you to pick between multiple sources of protein.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 2,794 kcal/kg, 2.0 kcal/treat |
| Crude Protein | 8.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 6.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0% max |
| Moisture | 30.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Chicken, Rice, Barley, Malted Barley Extract, Vegetable Glycerin, Tapioca Starch Modified, Cherries…
Pros:
+ Avoids most fillers, like wheat, corn, and soy
+ Uses natural protein as the first ingredient for healthy muscle development
+ Low calorie
+ Flavorful, healthy ingredients for a strong, healthy recovery
Cons:
– Might not be the best for big dogs
3. Pet Botanics Training Reward
When it comes to training your dog with treats, Pet Botanics Training Reward dog treats are some of the best. They’re very small, which makes them a perfect dog training treat. Why might you ask? Because when you train your dog, you want to give them plenty of mini rewards. Too many large treats can upset their stomach and cause unhealthy weight gain.
The ingredients in these world favorite training rewards treats are amazing, but let’s start with what’s not in them.
Why We Like Them – The pork liver dog training treat is packed with vegetables to enhance your dog’s energy levels and cognitive functioning. They also avoid any common fillers.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 2,960 kcal/kg, 3 kcal/treat |
| Crude Protein | 12.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 7.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 30.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Pork Liver, Pea Flour, Potatoes, Dried Whole Eggs, Glycerin, Flaxseed, Brown Rice…
Pros:
+ Pork liver is a strong, protein-packed main ingredient
+ No fillers such as soy and corn
+ Small 3-calorie healthy treats makes it easy to constantly reward your dog
+ Packed with healthy vegetables to keep your dog energized and healthy
Cons:
– Might be too small for big dogs
4. Wellness Natural Grain Free Puppy Training Treats
Training a puppy can be one of the most rewarding and bonding experiences. It’s important to give your dog a training treat when they do something good. Wellness soft puppy bites are a perfect food option for smaller dogs and young puppies for multiple reasons.
The treats are made of salmon, lamb, chicken, apples, and many more healthy ingredients. You can choose from several different options for dogs, to select exactly what your dog is eating.
Why We Like Them – Omega fats are necessary for brain development and for proper heart functioning.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 3,200 kcal/kg |
| Crude Protein | 15.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 12.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0% max |
| Moisture | 30.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Lamb, Salmon, Chickpeas, Ground Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Guar Gum, Carrots…
Pros:
+ Healthy protein and omega (healthy) fat
+ Packed with vegetables and fruit
+ Small size for multiple rewards, which is great for long training periods
+ Multiple flavor and ingredient options for dogs, to select exactly what’s in your dog’s diet
Cons:
– Not suited for adults
5. Bil-jac Little-jacs Small Dog Treats
If you’re looking to purchase some dog treats with a trusted, well-known brand, check out the Bil-jac Little-jacs training treats. This company has been around since 1947, and they’ve perfected training treats in multiple ways. From the size to the ingredients, Bil-jac has made some of the best training treats for your dog.
They’re also gluten-free, which is great if your dog is allergic to gluten dog products. Just as with humans, some dogs are allergic to gluten which can cause rashes, trouble breathing, and some bowels issues. Instead of testing the waters, Bil-jac training treats allow you to avoid the possibilities.
Why We Like Them – These chicken recipe dog treats avoid artificial flavors, colors, and fillers. This makes them 100% natural and perfect to improve your dog’s overall health.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 3074 kcal/kg; 2.8 kcal/treat |
| Crude Protein | 25.0 % min |
| Crude Fat | 10.0 % min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0 % max |
| Moisture | 30.0 % max |
First 7 Ingredients
Chicken Liver, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Wheat Flour, Glycerin, Phosphoric Acid, Salt…
Pros:
+ Plenty of muscle-growing protein
+ No artificial flavors or colors
+ Perfect size for small dogs
+ Delicious flavor to reward your puppy
Cons:
– Too small for big dogs
6. Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Reward Mini Dog Treats
If your dog requires much longer training sessions, a.k.a. needs more treats, then check out the Crazy Dog Train-Me mini treats. They have only 1.5 calories per training treat, which is some of the lowest we’ve found on the market.
These training treats for dogs are packed with high-protein ingredients, and contain zero fillers. Since they’re so small, adding any extra fillers would completely alter the taste. Since the company looks after your pet in every way, they didn’t add any corn or other typical fillers.
Why We Like Them – These treats are incredibly low in calorie count, which means you can feed them a bunch during a training session. Too big of a training treat can lead to unwanted weight gain.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 3 calories per treat |
| Crude Protein | 12.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 7.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0% max |
| Moisture | 28.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Pork Liver, Barley Flour, Whole Ground Potatoes, Sucrose, Bacon, Potato Starch, Glycerine…
Pros:
+ Several delicious flavors to choose from
+ No fillers or artificial ingredients
+ Only 1.5 calories, which won’t fill your dog’s stomach
+ Perfect to help introduce a child to your dog in a fun way
Cons:
– Too small for big dogs
7. Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Training Dog Treats
Blue has been a trusted brand in dog food for many years, which makes it no surprised that their training treats were so well-reviewed. They’re known for their all-natural, healthy dog foods.
Blue uses all-natural ingredients packed with omega-3 and omega-6 healthy fats to promote energy and attentiveness in your dog. They’re super delicious and don’t have any added flavors or fillers. Nothing but pure, healthy ingredients for healthy training treats.
Why We Like Them – Blue is a well-known brand that always provides some of the healthiest foods for your dog. These treats contain DHA, which helps your dog learn tricks and training at a much quicker rate.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 3,000 kcals/kg, 4 kcals/bit |
| Crude Protein | 10.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 7.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.3% min |
| Moisture | 27.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Beef, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Cane Sugar, Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein…
Pros:
+ Contains natural protein for healthy training treats
+ Contains DHA, which improves cognitive function
+ A heavily trusted brand
+ Bold flavor to keep your dog motivated to learn
Cons:
– May not be the best for picky eaters
8. Dingo Soft and Chewy Beef and Chicken Training Treats
The Dingo Soft and Chewy training treats are probably the smallest ones on the list. They’re smaller than a capsule pill, and they’re great for repetitive mini rewards. These treats also have a delicious natural smoke flavor that your dog can smell from a mile away. With such a strong flavor and aroma, your dog is bound to want to learn.
These dog training treats are made with real beef and chicken. Unlike a lot of other brands that mimic these flavors with artificial flavoring, these ones remain all-natural.
Why We Like Them – The soft texture of these dog treats makes it easier for your dog to chew and digest.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 3,190 kcal/kg, 3 kcal/treat |
| Crude Protein | 25.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 6.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0% max |
| Moisture | 24.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Beef, Chicken, Soy Grits, Sugar, Beef Liver, Propylene Glycol, Dextrose…
Pros:
+ Made with real beef and chicken
+ Strong flavors and aromas to keep your dog coming back
+ Incredibly small size for repetitive training rewards
+ Soft treats to give your dog exactly what they love
Cons:
– May not be the best for picky eaters
9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats
Blue Wilderness Trail Treats perfectly embodies what dogs truly are: relatives of wild wolves. As with most of Blue’s treats, there’s no artificial flavors or artificial colors in these Blue Wilderness Trail Treats. They’re 100% grain-free, which is great to help your dog avoid gaining unnecessary weight.
These crunchy dog treats are packed with protein and other wholesome nutrition from salmon, chicken, and sweet potato. They also have flax seed, which provides a healthy dose of omega 3 and 6 fats. Fats are necessary to keep your dog in healthy shape, and to keep their cognitive health peaked.
Why We Like Them – Blue’s Wilderness crunchy dog treats are excellent for any dog. They focus on what wild wolves eat: Meat, without any added fillers or artificial flavors.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 2,903 kcal/kg, 4 kcal/bit |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 6.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 2.0% max |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.3.0% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 3.0% min |
| Moisture | 28.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Potatoes, Chickpea, Maple Syrup, Vegetable Glycerin, Gelatin, Salt…
Pros:
+ All-natural protein-packed ingredients
+ Crunchy dog treats
+ Well-known, trusted brand
+ No artificial colors or flavors
Cons:
– Grain-free is not recommended for every dog
10. Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers
If you’re looking for a soft-chew, protein-based dog training treat, then check out Cloud Star Chewy Tricky Trainers. They’re perfectly sized for any dog, since they’re about the size of a pea. Receiving treats of any size is a reward to a dog, so they can’t tell the difference even if it’s super small.
As with many of the natural dog treats on this list, these liver dog treats contain no artificial flavors or colors. They’re also very low in fat, which means you can feed a ton of these to your dog while training without worrying about making them sick to their stomach, or aggravating sensitive stomachs. Check out some of the best food choices for sensitive stomach.
Why We Like Them – These little training treats are incredibly small, making them perfect for dog owners to give to their dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Nutrition Information:
| Caloric Content | 2,730 kcal/kg, 2.9 kcal/treat |
| Crude Protein | 10.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 4.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 30.0% max |
First 7 Ingredients
Chicken Liver, Barley Flour, Potato Flour, Maple Syrup, Glycerine, Tapioca Starch, Natural Flavor…
Pros:
+ Natural protein base (chicken liver)
+ No common fillers such as corn, soy, or wheat
+ No artificial colors or flavors
+ Perfect size for all dogs
Cons:
– May not be the best for picky eaters
How We Picked the Best Dog Training Treats
Small Bits
It’s important to choose a dog treat that is small – small enough to be consumed in one bite. In fact, it’s even better if you can find small pieces. You want to give your dog encouragement, but just enough to keep him wanting more.
High-Value Treats
Don’t use the everyday snacks you give to your dog as training rewards, because he won’t be as motivated. Instead, select high-value treats that are real meat and full of flavor and only give them to your dog during training sessions. This way, he will learn to appreciate these rare and delicious prizes.
Healthy
Dog owners should also try their best to find healthy treats. We recommend freeze-dried meats. They are pure, only made from one ingredient, and are healthy enough to not add too many calories.
Notes from our DVM, Sara Ochoa:
“It is best to know where your treats come from. Most treats will say made in the USA or Canada.”
Dog Training Treats Buyer’s Guide
What kind of treats to use for Dog Training?
As far as size goes, you need smaller dog treats for puppy training sessions. When teaching your dog a new trick or lesson, you’ll have to reward them several times so they know that their doing a good job. Smaller, low calorie treats are your best option.
You also want to make sure that the treats are high in protein. Luckily, most of the treats on the list have protein as their first ingredient. Sources like salmon, chicken, and beef are excellent options for dogs.
Can you get Vegan Dog Training Treats?
Yes, the KarmaTreats at #1 are vegan dog treats. These are a great option looking to keep their dog on a vegan diet or limit their meat intake from treats. Too much meat can be a bad thing over time for a dog’s organs, just like with humans.
Vegan dog treats are packed with healthy vegetables that help promote cognitive growth and an easier learning process. This helps increase a dog’s overall lifespan and reduces the chance of health problems.
Best Dog Treats for Training Puppies?
Although many of the dog treats on this list are good for training puppies, the Wellness Natural Grain Free Puppy Treats at #4 are the most ideal. Puppies have small mouths and developing dogs teeth, therefore they need small, soft treats. Keep them clean with these dog toothpastes.
These treats are made with all kinds of natural protein like pork, salmon, and chicken. Sources of protein such as these are very necessary for muscle growth and brain development in a growing puppy.
Related Review: Best Grain-free Puppy Food
Conclusion
It’s known that dogs love to be rewarded all the time. They live to make you happy and love it when you feed them healthy, natural treats.
Their muscle development, cognitive functioning, and overall health depend upon the food you feed them.
This leads to future health problems, slowed muscle growth, and drowsiness. Feeding your dog with treats that are protein-packed is essential. In the wild they eat a high-protein diet of fish, poultry, and beef. Following this diet is the best way to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Expert Tip
Dogs respond well to training with physical touch. Tap the back of their paw when teaching them to shake your hand, and tap their nose lightly to teach them to let go of something.
Did You Know?
Dog treats were first invented in the 1860’s. Prior to this, dogs would eat table scraps as treats!
