What Is The Best Dog Training Treats? Reviews & Buyer’s 2022 Guide

It’s no secret that dogs love incentives, especially those that come in the form of treats. And while buying dog treats might appear straight forward, pet parents should take extra care to ensure they purchase healthy dog training treats that add value.

Besides being small in size, the best training treats for dogs should be high in nutritional value, especially since they’ll be consumed regularly during training. Therefore, it is advisable to go for low calories, small-sized dog training treats to keep your four-legged family member in tip-top shape.

We already did all the research for you. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the best treats for training dogs, here are our top choices.

PRODUCT / PRODUCT DETAILS

PRODUCT

PRODUCT DETAILS

1. TruDog Treat Me, Chicken Jerky Recipe

Ideal for all dog breeds regardless of size
Contains natural, healthy ingredients
Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee
Strips can be easily broken into smaller-sized treats
High protein content

2. King Kalm Crunch, Blueberry Apple Flax Blaze Dog Treats

Made from organic ingredients
Treats contain Omega-3 and vitamins, making it highly nutritious
Excellent source of macronutrients and micronutrients
Improves dog's health, reducing the chances of lifestyle-related diseases
The bag comes packed with 40, easily breakable treats

3. Fromm Crunchy O's Training Dog Treats

Comes in different flavors to suit your dog's preferences
Easily breakable into tiny pieces, making it ideal for training
Grain-free and crunchy enough to awaken the taste buds of lazy eaters
O-shaped tiny treats allow for easy consumption
Contains wholesome nutrients that promote coat health

Top 7 Best Dog Training Treats

1. TruDog Treat Me, Chicken Jerky Recipe

Manufactured by TruDog, this treat is among the best dog treats for training when it comes to nutritious value. Some of the TruDog Treat Me recipe’s main ingredients include chicken, vegetable glycerin, rye flour, liquid smoke flavoring, vegetable oil, lecithin, rosemary extract, and mixed tocopherols.

The use of 100% natural ingredients makes the dog treat safe for all breeds, regardless of size or age. TruDog is a well-known manufacturer of high-quality dog food. The company’s core motivation is to produce dog foods and treats that aren’t short term solutions; instead, Trudog’s focus is on producing high-value dog food that adds value to your pup’s life.

The high caloric content in TruDog Treat Me Chicken Jerky Recipe leaves your dog energized and raring to train again. Another great feature is the use of natural chicken, which is tasty enough to motivate your canine companion to keep learning new tricks.

PROS

High caloric content makes it a great energy booster during training
Contains chicken and liquid smoke flavoring, which enhance the overall taste
Strips can be easily broken to tiny pieces, making it possible to extend usage
Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee in case the product doesn't meet client expectations
Ideal for all dogs regardless of breed, age, or size

CONS

2. King Kalm Crunch, Blueberry Apple Flax Blaze Dog Treats

King Kanine is well-known for its use of all-natural ingredients in its recipes. By conducting extensive research on ingredients and relevant formulas, the company ensures that all its products meet industry standards by the time they hit the shelves.

The King Kalm Crunch Blueberry Apple Flax Blaze Dog Treat contains sweet potato, eggs, gluten-free stone ground oat flour, honey, diced apples, and flax seeds as the key ingredients, making it safe for all dogs.

The presence of sweet potato as the primary energy source ensures that your dog remains active during training, helping him learn new tricks with relative ease. Besides having antioxidant benefits, the training dog treat is an excellent source of micro and macronutrients that promote overall health, leaving your dog healthy and bubbly.

PROS

Contains essentials vitamins and Omega-3
Excellent source of micro and macronutrients
A single bag contains 40 treats that are easy to break into small pieces
Promotes training by boosting energy levels
Regular usage improves overall coat and skin health

CONS

3. Fromm Crunchy O's Training Dog Treats

This treat is hugely popular with puppies, especially those undergoing intense obedience and socialization training. The product comes in five unique flavors, Smoking Cheeseplosions, Pumpkin Kran Pow, Blueberry Blasts, Pot Roast Punchers, and Banana Kablammas.

The wide variety of flavors helps to make From Crunchy O’s Training Dog Treats among the most sought after by dog owners. Coconut oil and natural flavor are common ingredients in all the flavors and help to increase your pup’s appetite.

The manufacturing company advises dog owners to switch around the different flavors until they find the best one for their dogs. Therefore, don’t hesitate to play around with the flavors. You’ll also love that the treats are o-shaped and easy to break, making it possible to extend the usage of small packs.

PROS

Boasts of a rich selection of flavor options
O-shaped treats are easy to consume and break into tiny pieces
Crunchy and grain-free, making it a tasty snack
Made from nutritious ingredients that promote overall health
Ideal for all dogs regardless of size and breed

CONS

4. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft Moist Training Treats, Tasty Chicken Recipe

Blue Buffalo needs no introduction when it comes to the production of high-quality dog foods that satisfy industry standards. The company’s Blue Bits Soft Moist Training Treats Chicken Recipe is designed for easy consumption, especially by puppies and senior dogs that are known to be sensitive.

The treat doesn’t contain any by-products and is free of corn, soy, wheat, and artificial preservatives. The bite-sized morsels are soft, making them ideal for quick consumption during training. The presence of real chicken as the first ingredient makes this training treat tasty and nutritious.

To satisfy varying client needs, the product comes in three sizes, the 4 oz, 9 oz, and 16 oz packs. You can also get the treat in different flavors such as beef, turkey bits, and salmon bits in case your dog wants to switch from chicken bits.

PROS

The presence of real chicken makes the treat tasty and nutritious for dogs
Soft and moist to allow for easy consumption
Doesn't contain any additives or artificial flavor
Contains healthy, wholesome ingredients that boost the immune system and promote overall dog health
Wheat, corn, and soy-free, making it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs

CONS

5. PupJoy Market Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, Super Turkey Bites

PupJoy is a Chicago-based dog food company that focuses on producing highly nutritious dog foods. Besides manufacturing dog treats, PupJoy prides itself on sponsoring and supporting over 4,000 rescue organizations through foster care, microchipping, and adoption events. The company’s commitment to dog welfare can be seen from the dog products it produces.

The main ingredients in the Pupjoy Market Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, Super Turkey Bites include turkey, pea flour, coconut glycerin, chickpea, cranberry, brewer’s yeast, pumpkin, turmeric, lactic acid. To boost your dog’s motivation, the treats come with a natural bacon flavor. This ensures that your best friend focuses on the training tasks at hand.

PupJoy manufactures this puppy training treat in small batches for ease of consumption. Another great feature of this top-quality dog food is the use of all-natural ingredients, which helps to prevent digestion problems in dogs with a sensitive tummy.

PROS

Corn, soy, and wheat-free
Contains natural bacon flavor to boost your dog's motivation towards training
All-natural without any artificial flavors
Promotes muscle development and energy retention
Good for coat health

CONS

6. Merrick Grain-Free Power Bites, Real Chicken Recipe

The Merrick Grain-Free Power Bites, Real Chicken Recipe comes with soft, chewy natural treats. The presence of real chicken ensures that the dog treats boost your pup’s overall energy levels.

Unlike other treats that are ideal for all dog breeds, these Merrick-manufactured treats are meant for large breeds. The large, star-shaped bites are perfect for training large breed dogs.

In regards to nutrition, the big bites contain glucosamine, which is vital for joint and hip health. The presence of Omega 3 and Omega 6 ensures that your dog has healthy skin and coat. The bites are gluten and grain-free, making them ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies.

With deboned meat as the first ingredient, your dog will benefit from the additional protein content that helps in muscle development. Merrick is known to produce gluten, and sorbic acid-free dog foods and treats, meaning you can trust this dog training treat won’t harm your dog.

PROS

Contains glucosamine which promotes joint and hip health
Contains no additive, wheat, gluten, artificial colors or flavors
The Large star-shaped treats can be easily broken down and served on separate occasions
Soft and chewy, making the treats ideal for training
Contains Omega 3 and Omega 6, which are important for coat and skin health

CONS

7. PupJoy Market Healthy Dog Treats, Pork Pot Roast Recipe

Boasting of pork, chickpea flour, and pea flour as some of the main ingredients, this treat by Pupjoy is perfect for training sessions. The highly nutritious nature of this treat ensures that your dog benefits every time during training.

The Pupjoy Market Healthy Dog Treats, Pork Pot Roast Recipe doesn’t contain corn, additives, or by-products, making it perfect for daily consumption during training. The crunchy, chewy texture makes it a favorite for both snacking and training. Your dog will also love the coconut glycerine, molasses, and bacon, which all contribute to the treat’s bubbly taste.

PROS

CONS

What Makes A Good Dog Training Treat?

Dog training treats are different from other types of treats. Unlike normal dog foods and treats, training treats can be consumed in large quantities as a form of reward for successful training. And since dogs can consume several treats during a single session, it is crucial that such treats contain nutritional value to avoid diet-related health complications.

Ideally, the best treats for dogs for training should be high in protein content to promote muscle and body development. [1] You shouldn`t give your dog training treats that are high in caloric levels or artificial flavors as they can lead to weight gain and other complications if consumed regularly.

Similar to dog biscuits and other foods, treats should be gentle on your dog`s stomach. This means avoiding treats with filler ingredients. Always check the label to determine the ingredients used. Go for treats containing vegetables, minerals, and other healthy nutrients to avoid nutrition-related conditions.

Related Reviews:

6 Tips For Choosing Dog Training Treats For Your Dog

As any dog behavior expert will tell you, one treat a day keeps your dog’s bad habits away. And the trick to instilling good social, feeding, and playing behavior in your dog is to reward him with treats whenever he acts as expected. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when looking to buy one treat for a dog.

1. Small Treats Work Best

You’ll want to be extra careful to ensure you select very tiny treats to reward your hard-working dog. Remember, you’ll probably give your dog several treats in a day, so it’s best to keep them small to reduce their impact.

Giving your dog large sized treats five to ten times a day will likely make him obese, and you don’t want that. Treats for a dog should also be small enough to prevent overworking your body’s digestive tract during training. The idea is to have your dog enjoy his treats and jump right back to training. Large-sized treats will do the opposite, making your dog lazy.

Small treats are easily chewable by dogs and can help you to save on recurrent costs. In case you bought large-sized treats, don’t hesitate to break them into tiny, more manageable pieces. Avoid buying large treats for your large breed dog as they can lead to obesity, especially if your dog isn’t an active breed.

2. Easy To Swallow

Again, the importance of small training treats for dogs cannot be overstated. The best treats should be small and easy to swallow to allow your dog to resume training immediately. Excessively bulky puppy training treats will only distract your dog, making him focus on consuming the treats as opposed to the training.

Purchasing tiny, easy to swallow treats ensures that no time is wasted on eating. Instead, your dog will gobble up the treats within seconds and get right back into training. This makes the training activity both fun and effective for both the trainer and trainee.

3. High In Nutritional Value

Although most pet parents tend to assume the nutritional value of treats when comparing dog treat options, it is advisable to check on the ingredients present before purchase. Remember, although not a main meal, your dog’s digestive system will have to work on the treats, meaning they should add some value to your pet’s body.

Purchasing dog training treats that contain real animal protein like salmon, beef, chicken, and pork is advisable. Protein filled treats promote the development of muscles, which is ideal for your growing pup or active adult dog. Try as much as possible to buy treats low in caloric content since increased carb levels can lead to weight gain, especially if the treats are consumed daily.

4. High Manufacturer Standards

Always check whether a particular product is USDA-inspected to ensure it’s fit enough for use on your four-legged family member. Most vets will recommend buying US-manufactured treats since they’re usually inspected and certified by relevant agencies before hitting the shelves.

While it might be tempting to purchase the less costly products, try going for those that satisfy USDA standards. This means staying away from treats that contain artificial additives and flavors since they can negatively affect your dog’s well-being and quality of life.

5. Good-Smelling Treats

A flavorful and good-smelling training treats for dog will work best when on serious training routines. The whole idea behind using treats in training is to motivate dogs to earn a reward.

A yummy smelling treat will no doubt boost your dog’s commitment to a training session, reminding him of the need to work hard in order to receive the yummy treat. The best training dog treats for obedience training in both adult dogs and puppies should be aromatic and tasty enough to work as a food reward.

6. Portable Treats

Although sticky, tasty treats like miniature meatballs might motivate your dog to learn a new trick, they tend to fall apart and stain clothes when placed in pockets. Due to this, it is advisable to go for dry treats that can be easily placed in pockets or pouches without causing a mess.

The best treats for dog training should be human grade in terms of quality and portability, allowing you to pack and move them with relative ease.

Using portable treats as training rewards is ideal since you can carry them on evening walks and reward your dog for good behavior without staining your jacket or pant’s pockets.

Important Features To Consider

Natural Protein Source

Always go for treats with high protein levels, preferably from natural sources. This means trying out treats containing real salmon, real beef, real chicken, or real pork. Proteins help in muscle formation, making your dog lean as he continues to train.

Always check on the ingredients to ensure that you buy a training reward containing natural sources of proteins as they tend to work well on dogs.

Low Calories

Since your dog will be consuming loads of treats whenever he behaves or responds well, it’s important to purchase products that are low in calories per treat. Low calories per treat prevent your dog from gaining excessive weight due to regular consumption.

In addition to buying treats with a low-calorie count, you should avoid feeding your dog wheat or soy-based treats, as they can mess up his digestive system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad to train my dog with treats?

It isn’t bad to train your dog with treats. Dogs love treats and tend to respond better to training sessions when rewarded regularly. Therefore, provided you feed your four-legged friend healthy and low calory treats, he should be well-placed to learn new tricks and remain highly motivated.

Can I train my dog myself?

Yes, you can train your dog yourself if you have the relevant skills needed for a training session. Pet owners are often encouraged to participate in dog training as a way of building loyalty and trust with the dog. However, you might need to bring in an expert with good resume maker when looking to teach your dog complex skills.

How many training sessions does a dog need?

The amount of training sessions a dog needs depends on the nature of lessons or skills to be learned. Dogs can learn simple tricks within a day or two, while the more complicated skills such as recovery and defense can take months for your dog to master completely. The trick is to practice patience with your dog, allowing him to learn a day at a time.

Conclusion

Now that we have discussed seven treats in the market, you should be well-placed to choose the best treat for dog training. In our opinion, you ought to go for TruDog Treat Me, Chicken Jerky Recipe as it meets all the criteria below.

The best treats should be low in calories per treat and small enough to be consumed in a single bite. Large-sized treats might reduce the effectiveness of when training your dog since he will likely take a break to finish them up which shouldn’t be the case.

Choose tiny treats that are high in protein to build up your dog’s muscles. The treats should also contain healthy ingredients such as vitamins and Omegas to boost your pup’s overall wellness.

Editor's Choice

TruDog Treat Me, Chicken Jerky Recipe

Ideal for all dog breeds regardless of size
Contains natural, healthy ingredients
Comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee
Strips can be easily broken into smaller-sized treats
High protein content

Kathy R. Conner

Kathy is a licensed veterinary surgeon and writer in Miami. With over 20 years of experience in deal with pets and small animal, she hopes to share her knowledge on what she learned throughout her life to all animal lover. On her free time, she likes to attend Yoga and Meditation classes.

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