Best Dog Treats for Training: What Makes a Good One

What matters most in a training treat

Speed of eating comes first. A reward works best delivered right after the behavior, and the AKC's clicker method is to click, then treat immediately, with every click followed by a reward. A small training clicker is all the equipment that method calls for. A treat that takes ten seconds to crunch breaks the rhythm of a session; a soft morsel the size of a pea is gone in a second.

Value is second. The AKC notes that edible treats are the best incentive for most dogs, but what counts as valuable differs from dog to dog. Soft, strong-smelling treats usually beat dry ones in a busy park, while plain kibble may be enough for an easy cue in the kitchen.

The main treat types compared

Soft, chewy training treats are designed for this job: small, aromatic and easy to break smaller. Freeze-dried single-ingredient meat is light and high value, though crumbly. Dry crunchy treats and biscuits are fine for occasional rewards but too slow for rapid repetitions.

Your dog's own kibble is the cheapest training treat and adds no extra calories if you set aside part of the day's ration. Some owners use tiny pieces of plain cooked chicken. Long-lasting chews are not training treats at all; save them for settling in a crate.

Best treat for each situation

For puppies, choose very small, soft treats and use part of the puppy's own food for most repetitions. The AKC advises keeping training treats as small as possible and cutting mealtime portions to account for them. For toy breeds, cut treats down to the size of a lentil.

For distractions, recall and new places, bring the highest-value treat your dog loves, because a reward has to outcompete what is around it. A treat pouch, such as this portable snack bag, keeps the next reward within reach. For dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies, single-ingredient treats or the dog's regular food reduce the chance of upsets, and your vet can advise on a suitable option.

How many training treats is too many

Treats add up quickly in a long session. A common guide is to keep treats and extras to about 10% of the day's calories, which is also the share the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee gives for foods not intended as a complete diet. Breaking each treat into two or three pieces doubles the repetitions for the same calories.

Reduce the next meal on heavy training days, weigh your dog every few weeks, and move from food to life rewards, such as a sniff, a game or a greeting, as behaviors become reliable. If your dog gets diarrhea after a new treat, stop it and call your vet if it lasts more than a day.

What to avoid

Avoid treats too large to swallow quickly, hard treats that slow training, and anything containing xylitol, grapes or raisins, chocolate, onion or garlic, all of which are toxic to dogs. Avoid giving rich human food as rewards, which can upset the stomach. Store soft treats sealed so they do not dry out or grow mold, and check the labels on any training treats you buy.

Avoid using treats to bribe rather than reward: show the treat only after the behavior once your dog knows the cue. If you suspect your dog has eaten something toxic, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.