Best Puppy Treats For Training

Becoming a puppy parent comes with a unique set of joys and challenges. One of the key aspects that new pet parents navigate through is puppy training, and finding the right treat can make this journey smoother and more enjoyable. This guide explores the essentials to consider while selecting the ideal training treats that align with your puppy’s taste, health, and training goals.

What Makes a Good Puppy Training Treat?

Size matters when it comes to training; treat size is crucial. Small treats are ideal as they provide a quick reward without filling up your puppy too quickly. Small treats ensure that your puppy stays motivated to learn without getting distracted by a large, cumbersome snack.

1. Nutritional Value

Puppies are in a crucial stage of development, so opting for treats that are tasty and packed with nutritional benefits is essential. Look for options that provide a healthy balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates without any harmful additives.

1. Appealing Taste and Smell

Treats that are tasty and have a strong aroma are more likely to grab and keep your puppy’s attention during training sessions. Puppies have a keen sense of smell, so a treat with a tempting scent can be a powerful motivator.

1. Texture Considerations

Considering their developing teeth, soft, chewable treats are generally preferred for puppies. However, a bit of crunch isn’t bad and can also assist in keeping their teeth clean!

The Best Puppy Treats For Training

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Treats

• Price: $16
• Description: Single-ingredient, freeze-dried beef liver treats.
• Ingredients: 100% grass-fed beef liver.
• Pros: High in protein and Omega 3s, suitable for large breeds and senior dogs, easy to handle, bite-sized.
• Cons: Not specified.
• Calories: Not specified.
• Flavors: Beef liver.
• Size: Bite-sized and easy to handle.

Bone Broth Bites

• Price: $11
• Description: Soft and chewy treats containing beef bone broth, chickpeas, sweet potato, and pumpkin.
• Ingredients: Beef bone broth, chickpeas, sweet potato, pumpkin, tapioca, vegetable glycerin, natural flavor, citric acid, mixed tocopherols.
• Pros: Nutritious, high in fiber, slow-cooked to preserve flavor.
• Cons: Not specified.
• Calories: 8 kcal per treat.
• Flavors: Beef bone broth, chicken, turkey.
• Size: Not specified.

Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe

• Price: $17
• Description: Small and low-calorie treats primarily made of peanut butter and oats.
• Ingredients: Peanut butter, barley flour, oat flour, rice flour, vegetable glycerin, malted barley extract, tapioca starch gelatin, lecithin, salt, phosphoric acid, sorbic acid (preservative), turmeric spice (color), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate.
• Pros: Ideal for long training sessions due to low calorie.
• Cons: Not specified.
• Calories: 3 kcal per treat.
• Flavors: Peanut butter and oats. Other flavors include salmon, beef, duck, pork, and rabbit.
• Size: Small.

Freeze Dried Training Treats

• Price: $16
• Description: Tiny, crunchy, single-ingredient treats available in four distinct flavors.
• Ingredients: Vary per flavor, e.g., chicken breast for chicken flavor.
• Pros: Low in calories, easy to swallow, come with a free trial of training videos.
• Cons: Not specified.
• Calories: Approximately 2 kcal per treat (may vary slightly between flavors).
• Flavors: Chicken breast, beef liver, salmon skin, and sweet potato.
• Size: Tiny.

Cricket Peas & Sweet Potato Recipe

• Price: $15
• Description: Crunchy treats made with cricket powder, peas, sweet potato, and apple.
• Ingredients: Oats, cricket powder, peas, sweet potato, apple, flaxseed meal, coconut glycerin, natural flavoring, citric acid, mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract.
• Pros: Environmentally friendly, high in protein and fiber, contains prebiotics and probiotics.
• Cons: Not specified.
• Calories: 2.6 kcal per treat.
• Flavors: Cricket peas and sweet potato. Other flavors include cricket pumpkin carrot and cricket peanut butter blueberry.
• Size: Not specified.

Chicken Strips with Glucosamine & Chondroitin

• Price: $12
• Description: Jerky-style treats made with human-grade chicken, with added glucosamine and chondroitin.
• Ingredients: Chicken breast fillet, dried cane molasses, sea salt, vinegar, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, natural flavoring.
• Pros: Supports joint health and mobility, made with human-grade chicken, no antibiotics.
• Cons: Larger treats may need to be broken up for training sessions, not recommended for small dogs who may get full quickly.
• Calories: 28 kcal per treat.
• Flavors: Chicken. Other flavors include turkey and pork.
• Size: Larger, jerky-style.

How to Use Treats Effectively in Training

Treats are a form of positive reinforcement, making your puppy associate the desired action with a positive outcome. Here’s a little guide on how to use them effectively:

• Timeliness: Reward your puppy immediately after they perform the desired action to create a clear association.
• Consistency: Ensure that you reward the same actions every time to avoid confusion.
• Moderation: Ensure treats are used in moderation to avoid overfeeding.

Alternative Rewards in Training

While treats are a great training aid, they’re not the only form of positive reinforcement. Alternatives include:

• Verbal Praise: A simple “good boy/girl” can work wonders.
• Physical Affection: A pat or belly rub also signifies a job well done.
• Playtime: A short play break with their favorite toy can be a great reward.